Unmanned Ingenuity helicopter sets new altitude and flight speed records during its 49th launch on Mars

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has reported another successful launch of the unmanned Martian helicopter Ingenuity. It was his 49th since arriving on the Red Planet.

Here's What We Know

Ingenuity is an $80 million Martian drone that left for the Red Planet in mid-summer 2020 and made its maiden flight on April 19, 2021.

On April 2, 2023, Ingenuity broke away from the surface of Mars for the 49th time. As part of the next flight, the unmanned helicopter was able to renew personal records for speed and altitude. A photo taken as part of this mission is published below.

The Martian drone, weighing less than 2kg, reached 23.3km/h. In flight, it was able to conquer an altitude of 14 metres. Previous records were 21.6 km/h and 14 metres respectively.

Ingenuity's primary mission ended in 2021. NASA had planned five flights to demonstrate its ability to fly in a rarefied atmosphere. This was done within weeks of the drone's arrival on Mars.

Since the drone remained in working order, the space agency continued to operate it. The helicopter helps the Perseverance rover collect soil samples by acting as a flying reconnaissance vehicle. In its 49 missions, Ingenuity has flown nearly an hour and a half and travelled more than 11,000km, while the rover has travelled just 17.17km.

Source: NASA