Ingenuity Helicopter: The First Flight on Another World

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter made history with the first powered flight on Mars in April 2021.
It flew alongside the Perseverance rover as a technology demonstration.
Ingenuity weighs just 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and stands 19 inches tall.
Its twin carbon-fiber rotors spin at about 2,400 rpm to lift in Mars’ thin air.
The first flight lasted only 39 seconds but proved flight was possible on another planet.
Designed for 5 flights, Ingenuity has completed dozens, far exceeding expectations.
It scouts terrain ahead for Perseverance, helping guide the rover’s path.
Solar panels recharge its batteries to survive freezing Martian nights.
Ingenuity has flown up to 2,310 feet in distance and reached heights of 40+ feet.
It opened the door for future aerial explorers on Mars and other worlds.