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
Nov 04, 2019
Airbus backs advanced batteries; VoloDrone; Seaplane becomes ePlane; DARPA’s launch conundrum; GE-powered drone; pilots and drones; Uber Eats’ drone delivers.
Nov 01, 2019
AIM-120 test gear upgrade, integrating space launches, Airbus investing in advanced battery developer Amprius and more. A roundup of space, aerospace and defense news.
Nov 01, 2019
October 2019 may go down in history as a New Space turning point: the first publicly traded human spaceflight company and the first space holding company.
Oct 31, 2019
Taiwan approves F-16 buy, an expanded role is foreseen for future lunar explorers. four companies are to demo space-based sensor for MDA, Volocopter enters unmanned cargo aircraft market and more. A roundup of space, aerospace and defense news.
Oct 31, 2019
German heavy helo logistics proposal; space-based sensor demonstration contracts; Japan’s hedge against fighter failure and a new contract for F-35s.
Oct 30, 2019
Higher combustion chamber pressures for the first stage and staged-combustion for the second stage would improve the launcher.
Oct 29, 2019
Pentagon and Lockheed close new F-35 deal, GE's flight-control system on commercial drone, NH90 software updates, Airbus studying AI to cut MUM-T crew workload, new designs reveal Uber Eats drone, NASA's Mars InSight dig and more. A roundup of space, aerospace and defense news.
Oct 29, 2019
Developing and advanced nations will start using surveillance data provided by Aireon.