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
Apr 11, 2019
Japanese F-35s grounded; industry calls Air Force IP buybacks a mistake; Raytheon helping bridge space tracking gap; Ukraine’s new cruise missile.
Apr 09, 2019
Brazil’s hopes for self-sufficiency in space ride on Visiona’s nanosat.
Apr 08, 2019
Westcott facility for Reaction Engines core testing takes British high-speed rocket propulsion research back to its post-war roots.
Apr 07, 2019
High-temperature, Mach 3.3 test paves the way for a hypersonic run for Reaction Engines pre-cooler.
Apr 04, 2019
Qatar Airways has said its strategic collaboration with McGill University’s Institute of Air and Space Law, the world’s premier institution for innovative research and education in the field of air and space law.
Apr 04, 2019
Steppingstones are in place to fast-track revived U.S. lunar exploration initiative, but some key items are missing.
Apr 04, 2019
The U.S. is responding to increased Chinese and Russian space threats by building a space force and planning to spend $14 billion in fiscal 2020. Is it enough?
Apr 04, 2019
Flying the SpaceX Falcon Heavy with ULA upper stage is an option for lunar missions beyond 2022.