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
Feb 28, 2025
The new shuttle orbiter Atlantis glass cockpit has nine Honeywell Multifunctional Electronic Subsystems (MEDS) liquid crystal displays (see page 54). Atlantis is set for launch with the new system in April. The orbiters Columbia, Discovery, and Endeavour will also receive the MEDS upgrade.
Feb 27, 2025
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is providing vital tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) support for Intuitive Machines-2 (IM-2) lunar mission from its Hartebeesthoek ground station.
Feb 27, 2025
The service is investing billions to revamp its launch infrastructure as the demand for rides to space continues to balloon.
Feb 26, 2025
In a close encounter of a new kind Dr. Valery Polyakov peers out of a window from the Mir core module as Discovery approaches within 37 ft. He is due to return to Earth on Mar. 22, after a record 438 days in space.
Feb 26, 2025
Newcomers in Europe, some born from public institutions, are riding the wave of booming demand for data.
Feb 21, 2025
As the X-37B graces the cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine, editors discuss the unique characteristics of the spaceplane and what its up to as it orbits Earth.
Feb 21, 2025
In its 11th year, Aviation Week Network’s program includes winners from 11 schools across the U.S. who hail from six countries and nominees from 16.
Feb 21, 2025
The military spaceplane is logging hundreds of days on orbit to collect data for future development.