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 09, 2014
After trailing Boeing in sales of new all-electric spacecraft, Airbus has been quick to catch up
Sep 08, 2014
AW&ST: What technical milestones are coming up at Orbital Sciences Corp. and Thales Alenia Space between now and the June 2015 launch of the first Iridium NEXT satellites?
Sep 08, 2014
Scientists and spacecraft operators are set for a unique comet flyby
Sep 08, 2014
Indian officials optimistic about first trip to Mars
Sep 08, 2014
An industry proposal made in June has apparently succeeded in toppling a next-generation rocket design that European governments approved in 2012 and had hoped to begin developing next year.
Sep 08, 2014
Sep 08, 2014
Two orbiters and a comet are all poised to add to the traffic in the skies of Mars