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
Aug 07, 2025
Voyager Technologies has disclosed the acquisition of software developer ElectroMagnetic Systems.
Aug 06, 2025
On the cover of the September 12, 2005 issue, is an illustration of combined human and robotic operations, space shuttle Discovery STS-114 astronaut Stephen Robinson is maneuvered at 220 mi. altitude on the International Space Station's robotic arm, which was developed in Canada by Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.
Aug 06, 2025
In this photo-feature published in the February 22, 1971 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology, astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Apollo 14 mission commander stands beside the Modularized Equipment Transporter (MET) on lunar surface while he assembles hand tools during first extravehicular activity (EVA-1). Feb. 5.
Aug 05, 2025
The cover of the 22 June 1970 issue features the model of Orbiter-Shuttle concept developed at Manned Spacecraft Center is tested at 20-deg. angle of attack at simulated Mach 20 re-entry speed in helium tunnel at Langley Research Center.
Aug 05, 2025
Moving a satellite from the ground to orbit in hours offers a new edge in space deterrence.
Jul 29, 2025
Editors share what they heard at AIAA's showcase events in Las Vegas and their concerns about what the NASA cuts could mean for U.S. competitiveness in commercial aviation and space.
Jul 24, 2025
The U.S. may be losing ground in a global race to develop highly maneuverable spacecraft.
Jul 23, 2025
As components decrease in size, more capability can be packed into small spacecraft.