NASA’s Ingenuity mini-helicopter survived its first night alone on the icy surface of Mars, the US space agency said. call it as “an important milestone” for the small craft as it prepares for its maiden flight.
The ultralight plane was dropped on the surface on Saturday after it was detached from the belly of the Perseverance rover, which landed on the Red Planet on Feb. 18.
Persistence aside, Ingenuity had to rely on its own solar-powered battery to run a vital heater to protect its unshielded electrical components from freezing and cracking during the bitter Mars night, where temperatures can drop to minus 130 degrees.
Enduring the frigid Mars night was “an important milestone for the small rotorcraft,” NASA said in a statement Monday.
“This is the first time Ingenuity has been alone on the surface of Mars,” said MiMi Aung, Ingenuity project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“But we now have confirmation that we have the right insulation, the right heaters and enough energy in the battery to survive the cold night, which is a big win for the team. We are delighted to present Ingenuity for the first time. prepare. flight test. “
Ingenuity will be undergoing tests of its rotor blades and motors in the coming days.
If all goes well, Ingenuity is expected to make its maiden flight attempt no earlier than the evening of April 11, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory said.
It will be the first aircraft to attempt a powered controlled flight on another planet.