Space travel
NASA: Mars helicopter “Ingenuity” can no longer fly
The Mars helicopter “Ingenuity” landed on Mars with the rover “Perseverance” in February 2021. photo
© -/Nasa/JPL-Caltech/dpa
The mission of the Mars helicopter was originally only scheduled for 30 days. It has now been around three years. However, NASA now reports that it is damaged.
“Ingenuity” is still upright and can communicate with the control center on earth, but the helicopter can no longer fly. The helicopter’s mission, which was originally only intended to last 30 days, is now over after around three years on Mars, it was said.
“Ingenuity” landed on Mars in February 2021 with the “Perseverance” rover. Shortly afterwards, the helicopter, powered by lithium-ion batteries and weighing around 1.8 kilograms, became the first aircraft to complete a flight on another planet. The helicopter, which has to withstand extreme conditions on Mars, completed a total of 72 flights.