The first helicopter to fly in outer space is…

NASA is preparing to send its next Mars rover to Mars. In this mission, a helicopter robot called Ingenuity is also mounted. It is expected to make a new history as it becomes the first aircraft to fly in the atmosphere of planets other than Earth with power.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab JPL has created a sort of trailer that shows what this Mars helicopter will be like. Through the Mars 2020 mission, it aims to arrive on Mars on February 18, 2021, and what will happen next is made public by video.

Ingenuity can look like a drone with a simple dual rotor. In reality, however, it can be said to be the product of innovative engineering that overcomes the critical technical challenges for completing low-altitude flight missions on Mars. The 1.8 kg aircraft does not have any measurement equipment. Basically, it is a demonstration machine to prepare for the design and development of an aerial probe that will aid future Mars research.

In reality, Ingenuity can be said to be an achievement simply by floating a softball-sized Gumsi body in the air. Because flying on Mars requires much greater lift than Earth. Of course, due to differences in atmospheric properties. Therefore, this helicopter test flight lasts only 90 seconds each time and only climbs to a height of 5 m. If it is on Earth, it is something that even a child can do, but if it is converted to the height on Earth, it is 30 km, which is much higher than the height of an ordinary passenger plane.

Meanwhile, NASA’s Mars 2020 mission is initially scheduled to launch between July 17 and August 5. NASA has repeatedly expressed that the mission is a top priority despite the limitations caused by Corona 19. A good chance to fly towards Mars is because it only comes about once every two years. Related information can be found here .