On May 7, the Ingenuity helicopter drone made its fifth flight into the atmosphere of the Red Planet. Unlike its predecessors, it was a one-way trip without returning to the starting point. The drone reached an altitude of 10 meters (a mission record) and flew to a new site 129 meters south of Wright Brothers Field, a location previously used as a runway.
The successful completion of the fifth flight marked the beginning of the extended portion of Ingenuity’s mission. As part of it, it will be used to accompany the Perseverance rover. The drone’s tasks will include flying between rover locations, taking pictures of interesting objects, plotting potential routes for its movement, and compiling stereo images of the surrounding terrain.
Another purpose of the drone will be to collect additional data on the mechanics of flight in the Martian atmosphere and conduct new technical tests. Engineers hope Ingenuity’s extended mission can last until the end of August this year.
Also NASA has published the record made by microphones Perseverance rover during the fourth flight Ingenuity. After processing, the experts were able to isolate and amplify the sound produced by his blades, and then synchronize it with photographs taken by cameras. The resulting recording showed an increase in rumble as the drone approached the rover, and a decrease in rumble as it moved away from the rover.
On May 7, the Ingenuity helicopter drone made its fifth flight into the atmosphere of the Red Planet. Unlike its predecessors, it was a one-way trip without returning to the starting point. The drone reached an altitude of 10 meters (a mission record) and flew to a new site 129 meters south of Wright Brothers Field, a location previously used as a runway.
The successful completion of the fifth flight marked the beginning of the extended portion of Ingenuity’s mission. As part of it, it will be used to accompany the Perseverance rover. The drone’s tasks will include flying between rover locations, taking pictures of interesting objects, plotting potential routes for its movement, and compiling stereo images of the surrounding terrain.
Another purpose of the drone will be to collect additional data on the mechanics of flight in the Martian atmosphere and conduct new technical tests. Engineers hope Ingenuity’s extended mission can last until the end of August this year.
Also NASA has published the record made by microphones Perseverance rover during the fourth flight Ingenuity. After processing, the experts were able to isolate and amplify the sound produced by his blades, and then synchronize it with photographs taken by cameras. The resulting recording showed an increase in rumble as the drone approached the rover, and a decrease in rumble as it moved away from the rover.
