NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter is still pushing its boundaries long after its first takeoff on Mars. According to CNET, the space agency shared a video of the important 25th flight of Ingenuity on April 8, when it broke records for duration and speed. The robotic helicopter flew at 12 MPH in just over two minutes and 41 seconds, providing footage of the undulating sands and rocky fields of the Red Planet as part of the 2,310-foot journey. The frames you see below have been accelerated to reduce viewing time to 35 seconds.
The video does not include the beginning and end of the trip, but there is a good reason. The navigation camera is turned off whenever Ingenuity is within three feet of the Martian surface to prevent dust from interfering with the navigation system. The autonomous pilot receives flight plans from JPL, but uses a combination of camera, laser rangefinder and inertial measurement unit to adapt to real conditions.
Ingenuity has flown three times since then. He is currently preparing for his 29th flight after a brief scare in early May, when the mission team lost communication after the helicopter went into a low-power state. Then NASA is not easily deterred – expect the plane to continue flying for some time.
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