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
Apr 17, 2024
The agency seeks cheaper options for retrieving samples collected by the Perseverance rover.
Apr 11, 2024
Rocket Lab and its partner, True Anomaly, will conduct rendezvous and proximity operations as part of the demonstration.
Apr 10, 2024
Boeing’s new leaders would be wise to study GE’s metamorphosis under Larry Culp.
Apr 09, 2024
CEO Steve Isakowitz speaks about the transformation underway at the only U.S. government-backed R&D center committed exclusively to space enterprise.
Apr 08, 2024
Startups Isar Aerospace, PLD Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg already have agreed to use the refurbished ELM-Diamant launch complex in Kourou, French Guiana.
Apr 08, 2024
Guy Norris talks with CEO Tom Vice about the spinoff-turned-prime’s growth plans as its space defense business surges and its spaceplane prepares for flight.
Apr 05, 2024
The U.S. military wants terminals to connect with multiple satellite constellations.
Apr 05, 2024
While NASA mulls plans to bring the samples to Earth, the collection is growing.