According to the US space agency, NASA, communication has been successfully restored with its small-scale helicopter on Mars. This development comes after an unforeseen disruption raised concerns about the possibility of the diligent aircraft reaching its final destination.
In 2021, a drone named Ingenuity, measuring approximately 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) in height, successfully arrived on Mars alongside the rover Perseverance. This groundbreaking achievement made Ingenuity the first motorized vehicle to autonomously fly on a different celestial body.
Data from the helicopter is transmitted back to Earth through Perseverance, acting as a relay. However, during Ingenuity’s 72nd test flight on Mars, communications suddenly ceased, causing concern among the team. Late on Saturday, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA shared positive news, stating that contact had been established with the helicopter. To achieve this, Perseverance was instructed to conduct extended listening sessions to capture Ingenuity’s signal.
The agency mentioned that the team is currently analyzing the new data in order to gain a better understanding of the unexpected communication interruption that occurred during Flight 72.
During Flight 72, NASA confirmed that Ingenuity achieved an elevation of 40 feet (12 meters) in a brief vertical flight aimed at assessing the helicopter’s systems. This flight followed an unplanned early landing on its previous attempt. However, communications between the helicopter and rover ceased prematurely during descent, prior to touchdown, according to the agency.
On Friday, JPL mentioned that Perseverance temporarily lost sight of Ingenuity, but the team considered the possibility of driving closer for a visual inspection. In response to a question regarding Ingenuity’s future flights, JPL stated on Saturday that the team needs to evaluate the new data before making any determinations.
It is worth noting that NASA has experienced previous instances of losing contact with the helicopter, including a distressing two-month period last year. Despite initial expectations of five flights over a 30-day period, the lightweight rotorcraft, weighing only four pounds (1.8 kilograms), has significantly surpassed its original objectives on the Martian surface.
In total, Ingenuity has traveled just over 10 miles (17 kilometers) and achieved altitudes of up to 79 feet (24 meters). Ingenuity’s impressive durability is evident, especially when considering the challenge of enduring the extremely cold nights on Mars.
To combat this, the helicopter relies on solar panels to recharge its batteries during daylight hours, ensuring its survival. Collaborating with Perseverance, Ingenuity serves as an airborne scout, aiding the rover in its quest to explore and identify potential indications of ancient microbial life.
