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
Jul 16, 2015
New Horizons spacecraft flies around Pluto and begins transmitting data that will provide new knowledge of the far reaches of the Solar System.
Jul 15, 2015
While speeding past Pluto on July 14, the New Horizons spacecraft is already sending back data that sheds light on the features and composition of Pluto and its moons.
Jul 15, 2015
As enthusiasm mounts for microgravity research in orbit, the end of the ISS service life looms.
Jul 15, 2015
The $170 million agreement financed the build and launch on PSLV of three remote-sensing satellites for Beijing-based 21AT.
Jul 15, 2015
USAF sent destruct signals for Falcon 9 a full 70 sec. after mishap.
Jul 14, 2015
From January to July, New Horizons has sent back a series of ever-sharper images of Pluto and its moons.
Jul 14, 2015
The U.S. Air Force might need to continue using Russian-made RD-180 engines for the time being, despite congressional wishes otherwise, crimping Aerojet Rocketdyne’s EELV ambitions.
Jul 11, 2015
Planetary scientists are getting their first detailed look at the terrain on Pluto, as the New Horizons spacecraft closes in for a fast flyby on July 14.