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 08, 2019
When Chris Hill walked out of SpaceX in late May, he knew life was about to change dramatically—and so was what he had known as a “day at the office.”
Aug 08, 2019
USAF leader campaigns for space-based sensors; Japan lifts F-35 grounding; Protected satcom satellite to launch; Indonesia’s indigenous combat aircraft pod.
Aug 02, 2019
For the first time, a cubesat is controlled by using light pressure from the Sun.
Aug 02, 2019
On Sept. 7, India’s second lunar explorer, Chandrayaan-2, is set to touchdown near the Moon's south pole. We take a deeper look at what the mission aims to achieve.
Aug 01, 2019
The UAE is gearing up to put the first Emirati astronaut into space. Steve Nichols has been finding out more.
Aug 01, 2019
Bulgaria reverses F-16 veto; CH-53K scores funding increase; Israel pursues satellite swarm buy and Northrop to upgrade electronic attack pods.
Jul 31, 2019
Space Development Agency answers critics and questions in industry day event.
Jul 29, 2019
Feeling mounting threats against its space assets, French government launches dedicated defense effort.