First Flight On Mars

On April 19, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter became the first aircraft to fly on another planet.

Our most recent package details the historic first flight of the 4-lb. robotic rotorcraft, which lasted 39.1 seconds, and its follow-up venture on April 22, and looks ahead to its future test program. The technology lays the groundwork for aerial exploration of Mars, an aeronautical feat given the air density of Mars is less than 1% of the density on Earth. See below for more.

“How do we use aerial mobility in the future on Mars, to help not just robotic exploration, but to help human exploration?”
Ellen Stofan
Smithsonian
Oct 26, 2022
The Emirates Mars Mission ‘Hope Probe’ has uncovered new observations, in addition to its nominal set of observations, about Mars’ atmosphere in its fifth batch of scientific data.
Oct 21, 2022
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Oct 20, 2022
NASA is assessing a private initiative to boost and service the flagship observatory.
Oct 17, 2022
Xwing tests visual autoland; Standards for space servicing; Inside Aura’s electric ERA; and First military eVTOL missions.
Oct 17, 2022
The inflated aeroshell will face dynamic regimes from Mach 25 to subsonic.
Oct 14, 2022
The Bahrain International Airshow 2022 has announced four ‘ground-breaking’ forums each featuring a variety of keynote and panel sessions.
Oct 13, 2022
Aviation Week Network recognizes 20 exceptional students leading change in the aerospace and defense industry.
Oct 12, 2022
Without schedule pressure to develop the Long March 9, China pursues resusable designs.