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
May 12, 2025
The island has scrambled to assemble an adroit supplier team after failing to reach an agreement with Elon Musk-owned Starlink.
May 09, 2025
Trump sees SpaceX and the private sector taking over deep-space travel for the U.S. space program.
May 08, 2025
Leonardo is exploring the purchase of a company in the small satellite sector, even as it advances talks with a strategic partner.
May 08, 2025
In line with the UAE’s vision to lead Arab cooperation in the space sector, the Arab Satellite 813 Program team has successfully concluded the System Integration Review (SIR).
May 07, 2025
Pieces of a Soviet-era spacecraft, stranded in Earth orbit after a failed launch to Venus 53 years ago, are heading back into the atmosphere this week.
May 06, 2025
Grumman Aerospace Corp. space shuttle design has a booster suing 12 rocket engines using 4,000 lb thrust each on an airframe 208 ft. wing span.
May 02, 2025
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
May 02, 2025
Amazon plans to use the satellites to roll out high-speed internet service later this year.