Ingenuity

January 26, 2024

Ingenuity was a goofy idea (let’s fly a helicopter in near-vacuum) that worked out better than anyone expected. 72 flights, more than two hours total air time, 11 miles ground distance covered, all on another planet in air that is less than 1% as thick as Earth’s. Bravo!

The amazing helicopter on Mars, Ingenuity, will fly no more

Ingenuity has spent more than two hours flying above Mars since April 2021.

Ars Technica

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

May 10, 2022

Ingenuity problems

NASA lost contact with Ingenuity on May 3. The little copter is having problems recharging its batteries due to dust accumulation and the short days of winter. NASA instructed Perseverance to stop all science activities and spend a full day listening. 24 hours later, Ingenuity had built up enough charge to reestablish communications.

After losing contact with its helicopter, NASA put the entire Mars mission on hold

Mars is only going to get colder and darker for the next 10 weeks as winter deepens.

Ars Technica

September 29, 2021

Mars communication

The physics of orbiting bodies is about to take away our communication with Mars for a couple weeks.

NASA Mars missions facing 2-week communications blackout as sun blocks Red Planet

The blackout starts Oct. 2 and lasts until Oct. 16.

Space.com

May 7, 2021

Ingenuity sounds

The atmosphere of Mars is thin, but it still transfers sound.

NASA’s Perseverance Captures Video, Audio of Fourth Ingenuity Flight - NASA

Sounds of the Mars Helicopter’s whirring rotors add another new dimension to the historic project.

NASA

How cool is this?

April 19, 2021

Ingenuity flies!

Today, Ingenuity flew for the first time.

mars.nasa.gov

And I wrote 442 words.

April 9, 2021

Buddies

Look at these two!

Kolor stitching | 62 pictures | Size: 14114 x 13209 | Lens: Standard | RMS: 3.47 | FOV: NA | Projection: Stereographic | Color: LDR |

See https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/25790/perseverances-selfie-with-ingenuity/ for info on how the image was taken.

image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

April 5, 2021

Ingenuity on the surface

Stop a moment and look at this image. The human eye loves a vanishing point image and this is a good one. Look at the way the tracks interact with features of the surface. Look at the other set of tracks to the right. Perseverance has been busy looking for just the right spot. Finally, look at Ingenuity, newly set on the surface of its new home, waiting for its chance to rise up and explore on its own.

image: NASA/JPL-Caltech