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
Sep 25, 2015
This week's top aerospace and defense stories, including Norway's first F-35A and Boeing's bulk Chinese aircraft order.
Sep 25, 2015
Without a new spending bill by Sept. 30, the U.S. government could be forced to shut down.
Sep 25, 2015
The closure of Ex-Im leaves only one U.S. spacecraft builder able to obtain export financing: Palo Alto-based Space Systems/Loral, whose Canadian parent company can tap financial backing from Export Development Canada, even if construction of the satellite is performed in the U.S.
Sep 23, 2015
New imagery of Pluto by the New Horizons probe includes some spectacular shots collected about 15 min. after closest approach.
Sep 23, 2015
Scott Kelly has some tricks for enduring his year-long stay on the space station.
Sep 23, 2015
The technical centerpiece of China’s new launchers, the YF-100 engine, has now flown in the smallest member of the family, Long March 6. The rapid-response solid-propellant launcher Long March 11, meanwhile, should fly imminently.
Sep 23, 2015
Enceladus is home to a global subsurface ocean that sprays plumes of ice from its south pole.
Sep 22, 2015
SpaceX and other new players in the A&D field may change the way heritage providers do business.