Intelligence went off-script on its 71st flight to Mars

Madrid, Jan. 10 (Europe Press) –

This is NASA's smartest helicopter on Mars Jezero accompanies the Perseverance rover on its journey through the craterLanded successfully but on its 71st flight much earlier than planned.

This flight took place on 6th January. It was programmed to travel 358 meters in 125 seconds.. However, it traveled only 71 meters in 35 seconds.. A planned flight height of 12 meters and a speed of 7 meters per second were achieved.

“The relatively uniform terrain over which it flew (sand ripples with few or no rocks) posed a challenge to its navigation system.” He explained the work on his X account.

Ingenuity Flight 71 Complete!

The #Mars Helicopter Landed successfully, but earlier than expected. The relatively featureless terrain over which it flew (sand ripples with few or no rocks) challenged its navigation system. Check out the statistics: https://t.co/1CXIWdYIAQ pic.twitter.com/RaCmAgON34

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) January 10, 2024

First manned flight in another world, Intelligence is half a meter tall and weighs 1.8 kg. It has six lithium-ion batteries that are charged with solar power. Its four carbon fiber blades are mounted on two rotors that spin in opposite directions at about 2,400 rpm, faster than a helicopter on Earth.

Since April 2021, the Mars helicopter has logged a 128.3-minute flight, covering a distance of 17 km and reaching an altitude of 24 meters. The Perseverance rover contributes its images to plan for surface exploration.