After a successful attempt with Perseverance, NASA will also be flying another mini-helicopter on April 8. It is currently attached to the previous one.
Scientists Want To Explore More On Mars
The Director of the Planetary Science Division at the NASA headquarters Lori Glaze said that when NASA’s Sojourner reached Mars in 1997, it proved that there was something at the Red Planet. It further changed everyone’s call for action on Mars. Similarly, they want to learn more about the planet and expand their study horizons with Perseverance.
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He further said that the Ingenuity is a type of technology that aims to be the first powered Flight on another world. But before NASA releases its mini helicopter, there are many milestones that they must overcome.
Once it is deployed, it’ll complete the test flight campaign within 30 Martian days. However being able to control the flying at mars will be a more difficult task than that on Earth.
Mars And Earth Share Different Atmosphere
Amongst the many challenges that the scientists will face, one of the most significant one is that fact the gravity on Mars is about one-third of the Earth but the atmosphere is just one percent dense.
As per the Martian daytime, the planet receives very little solar energy than that of the earth and at night the temperature can drop as low as minus 90 degree Celsius. And a temperature this low can freeze any unprotected electrical components.
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Mars Helicopter Chief Engineer at JPL, Bob Balaram said that every step that they take on this journey is an uncharted territory. However, once the machinery is deployed, surviving through the first night at Mars will be the most difficult task so far.
The helicopter deployment is expected to take around six days. While Ingenuity will attempt the first powered, controlled flight on Mars. But the first powered, controlled flight on Earth took place on December 17, 1903, on the windswept dunes of Kill Devil Hill, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Orville and Wilbur Wright covered 120 feet in 12 seconds during the first flight. The Wright brothers made four flights that day, each longer than the previous one.
