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- TL;DR
- Ingenuity touch down.
Cleared for take-off on Runway 4 !
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Iconic first in flight (Ingenuity helicopter on Mars)
- Thread starter neilparker62
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- Flight Helicopter Mars
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SUMMARY
The Ingenuity helicopter successfully completed its first flight on Mars on April 19, 2021, marking a historic achievement in aerial exploration beyond Earth. Following initial challenges, including a full-speed spin test issue, subsequent flights have demonstrated increased altitude and lateral movement capabilities. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed that Ingenuity has exceeded expectations, with plans for it to conduct scouting flights ahead of the Perseverance rover, exploring less well-known areas of the Martian surface. As of now, Ingenuity has completed five flights, with future missions aimed at further exploration and data collection.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of NASA's Mars 2020 mission and its objectives
- Familiarity with drone flight mechanics and aerial navigation
- Knowledge of the Perseverance rover's role in Mars exploration
- Awareness of the challenges of operating technology in extraterrestrial environments
- Research the engineering design of the Ingenuity helicopter and its flight systems
- Explore the implications of aerial exploration on planetary science
- Learn about the data collection methods used by Ingenuity and Perseverance
- Investigate future missions planned by NASA for Mars exploration
Aerospace engineers, planetary scientists, educators, and anyone interested in the advancements of space exploration technology and the Mars 2020 mission.
Cleared for take-off on Runway 4 !
- #2
berkeman
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Looks like the first flight is scheduled for this Sunday...
https://www.scientificamerican.com/...-helicopter-touches-down-prepares-for-flight/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/...-helicopter-touches-down-prepares-for-flight/
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Gonna be epic I'd say.berkeman said:
- #4
mfb
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The first full speed spin test had a problem but a repetition was successful. We might get a new schedule soon.
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-mars-flight-test-030634860.html
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-mars-flight-test-030634860.html
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Looking good so far anyway!
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-flight-date-184556782.html
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-flight-date-184556782.html
- #6
mfb
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If the helicopter didn't abort then it should have flown, but we won't know for at least one more hour.
It's now 5:26 AM Eastern.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/04/19/ingenuity-helicopter-mission-status-center/
Or directly from NASA:
- #7
mfb
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Flight confirmed. It landed, it seems to be in a healthy state.
We have flown on two planets now.
Picture from the helicopter downwards:
Picture from Perseverance, I added the red line approximately where the helicopter was on the surface before taking off:
We have flown on two planets now.
Picture from the helicopter downwards:
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Awesome - just hope they're going to show some full colour pics of the surrounds taken by Ingenuity. But definitely a moment in history captured in the above pics - thanks for sharing.
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mfb said:
A different kind of "selfie" - shadow of Ingenuity and Perseverance tracks marking "Runway 4".
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- #10
sophiecentaur
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Nasa's first actual video of Ingenuityity is truly fascinating. It's actually doing it!
Notice the small positional adjustments when it hovers. They are being so careful with this; so much is at stake and they can't afford a collision with Mother.
I wonder how many of those other videos, showing simulations, are appreciated for what they are - this is the real thing.
Notice the small positional adjustments when it hovers. They are being so careful with this; so much is at stake and they can't afford a collision with Mother.
I wonder how many of those other videos, showing simulations, are appreciated for what they are - this is the real thing.
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Clearly you mean they CANNOT affort a collisionsophiecentaur said:
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256bits
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Sure is quiet running too!
no noise pollution.
no noise pollution.
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A few metres above Planet Earth 1903.
A few metres above Planet Mars 2021.
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256bits said:
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dlgoff
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I just subscribed to receive the latest JPL news (Newsletter)
- #18
mfb
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Third flight of Ingenuity
It still lands where it takes off, but if they decide to risk a landing elsewhere this looks like it can actually help surveying the area. Just leaving it behind after 5 flights looks like a waste of potential.
It still lands where it takes off, but if they decide to risk a landing elsewhere this looks like it can actually help surveying the area. Just leaving it behind after 5 flights looks like a waste of potential.
- #19
dlgoff
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Do you know what the plans are for flights 4 and 5?mfb said:
- #20
berkeman
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It's only a rumor, but there was something about Ghost Rider requesting a flyby (of the rover)...dlgoff said:
- #21
dlgoff
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Or maybe a mentor with one of these:berkeman said:It's only a rumor, but there was something about Ghost Rider requesting a flyby (of the rover)...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2837937131...1291&msclkid=fb0e81c87d7719324edce14277dbe685
edit: just being silly @berkeman
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- #22
dlgoff
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- #23
dlgoff
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mfb
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- #25
mfb
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They finally decided to keep Ingenuity around for longer and use it for actual exploration. It's now planned to make scouting flights ahead of Perseverance, guiding it to interesting targets or exploring areas the rover won't reach.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56951752
This will mean landing in less well-explored areas, which comes with a higher risk. But that's still better than not flying at all. New target flight number: Until it breaks down.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56951752
This will mean landing in less well-explored areas, which comes with a higher risk. But that's still better than not flying at all. New target flight number: Until it breaks down.
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Looking forward to some great pics once they process all the flight data! Seems like the helicopter has already exceeded expectations which is great!
- #27
mfb
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Video and audio of the fourth flight, although the audio is really quiet.
Successful fifth flight, first time Ingenuity landed at a different spot.
Successful fifth flight, first time Ingenuity landed at a different spot.
- #28
dlgoff
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I am definitely going to make those specs!
- #30
mfb
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Half an Earth-year on Mars, 12 flights so far. Ingenuity has traveled a longer distance than Perseverance, 2.7 vs. 1.7 km.
Someone made a plot, the last flight is still missing.
Someone made a plot, the last flight is still missing.