After making history on Mars, NASA’s groundbreaking Ingenuity helicopter has flown its final flight. During a recent short hop, the chopper suffered damage to at least one rotor blade. While Ingenuity is still communicating with Earth, its flying days are over after over two years of operations far beyond expectations.
Originally, Ingenuity was designed to attempt just five brief test flights within 30 days of reaching Mars with the Perseverance rover. But the little 4-pound helicopter performed so well, NASA decided to keep using it as an aerial scout. All told, Ingenuity managed an astounding 72 flights over three years!
It flew much farther and longer than anyone imagined – over 14 times the initial distance goals and for more than two total hours airborne. Ingenuity helped NASA tremendously by scouting terrain ahead for Perseverance and demonstrating powered flight was possible on Mars.
But on January 18th, disaster struck on what was meant to be a quick up-and-down flight. Ingenuity ascended 40 feet into the thin Martian atmosphere and hovered briefly before descending. However, it lost contact with Perseverance around three feet up and made a rough emergency landing.
Luckily, NASA regained contact, but at least one rotor blade sustained damage – possibly from hitting the ground. Perseverance is too far away to visually inspect the helicopter. But based on blade shadows in Ingenuity’s own images, the damage is clear.
Considering the unforgiving Mars environment, it’s amazing Ingenuity lasted as long as it did. The innovative chopper persevered through rugged terrain, dust storms, and frigid winters on Mars. After all it accomplished, Ingenuity has earned a peaceful retirement.
The intrepid helicopter paved the way for more advanced Martian aircraft. As NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, Ingenuity helped turn the impossible into the possible, and will enable smarter and safer future exploration.
