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
Dec 08, 2023
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Dec 08, 2023
Launch photos capture the power and fury as millions of pounds of thrust lift payloads to orbit and beyond, as well as the sheer joy of watching a launch.
Dec 07, 2023
With the Ariane 6 seeing progress at last and Avio leaving Arianespace, the European Space Agency takes steps toward a competition for Europe’s future launchers.
Dec 05, 2023
Space experts from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa are touring the UK’s top space research, manufacturing and launch facilities.
Dec 04, 2023
In partnership with Bayanat, the UAE Space Agency has launched the operational phase of Geo-Spatial Analytics Platform.
Dec 01, 2023
Former NASA chief Dan Goldin oversaw creation of the station. What does he think of it now? Listen in to find out.
Nov 30, 2023
The U.S. will need to make more spacecraft more quickly and less expensively.
Nov 29, 2023
Helped by international players, the UAE has become a regional leader in space.