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
Jan 11, 2019
Greater demands on engine performance have ranked high among the challenges for China’s Chang’e 4 lunar mission.
Jan 11, 2019
After closing out 2018 with a company record 21 launches, SpaceX aims to keep the pace, begin flying astronauts and test a prototype Mars spaceship
Jan 11, 2019
Thirty-four new pieces of debris were recently added to the growing junk heap in Earth orbit.
Jan 10, 2019
A new year’s prediction: 2019 will see “big money” finally buy in on aerospace—or decide to leave it for another generation. The chances are 50-50.
Jan 10, 2019
Compared with a coronagraph, a starshade has a wider field of view and can allow the telescope to see planets closer to their star.
Jan 02, 2019
Quantum Challenge; flying-car progress; Airbus IDs drones; generative design; Vanuatu drones.
Jan 02, 2019
As the Ariane 6 program faces an unfavorable market, Europe’s institutional players have yet to put their money where their mouths are.
Dec 28, 2018
These images capture some of the highlights in the global space industry that made 2018 a banner year, as well as providing historical perspective.