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 23, 2016
Both SpaceX and Boeing have slipped their launch dates for first crewed flights to the ISS, as a big decision awaits the next presidential administration on giving the green light.
Nov 21, 2016
The prospects for subjects of search-and-rescue operations will be better with the introductions of improved distress beacon services, starting in December.
Nov 18, 2016
Donald Trump’s election to the White House means change is coming to the A&D world, but practically no one—maybe not even the president-elect—knows exactly what those changes will be.
Nov 18, 2016
China's Casic says its KZ-11 can hurl 1 metric ton to a 700-km (430-mi.) sun-synchronous orbit, exactly the same that CASC attributed last year to Long March 6.
Nov 18, 2016
In this week’s Washington Outlook: Heritage Foundation on military options for new administration; Trump may back bilateral space ties with China; and the flood of new UAV pilots.
Nov 16, 2016
Space policy transition is taking shape slowly following Donald Trump’s surprise election victory.
Nov 11, 2016
The Obama White House has punted on a host of civil, commercial and military space issues.
Nov 11, 2016
In this week’s Washington Outlook: a look at Trump’s secdef shortlist; a change of plans after Clinton’s loss and potential for public-private partnerships.