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
May 10, 2022
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Developed for Pegasus air launch, the L-1011­—world’s last operational TriStar—is pivoting to high-speed test and launch vehicle markets.
Apr 29, 2022
Private astronaut mission’s bonus days on ISS shift next crew launch.
Apr 27, 2022
The Emirates Mars Mission, the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, has released a new image of Mars’ enigmatic discrete auroras.