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 14, 2018
Composite cryogenic propellent tank buildup marks the start of prepping Boeing’s Phantom Express spaceplane for DARPA’s XSP reusable launch vehicle program.
Nov 12, 2018
Multi-engine hybrid electric; Transcend picks VerdeGo hybrid; Plummet-proof blimp; Capillary ice protection.
Nov 09, 2018
A commercial airlock module and an external payload platform will be added to the International Space Station.
Nov 09, 2018
A launcher concept displayed at Airshow China has 21 YF-100 engines for liftoff. Meanwhile, another rocket is being developed from Long March 6.
Nov 08, 2018
Initial survey shows planets beyond the Solar System are more plentiful than stars.
Nov 07, 2018
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency looks to balance supporting the country’s aerospace industry with enabling new applications for aviation.
Nov 05, 2018
Baseline standards for avionics, communications, life-support, power, robotics, rendezvous operations and thermal systems expected this year.
Nov 05, 2018
The FAA is readying new rules and technologies to accommodate increasing launch and reentry operations by commercial space operators.