Ingenuity was sent to Mars as part of the Mars 2020 mission, which also includes the Perseverance rover.
The helicopter arrived on the Martian surface attached to the underside of the rover, which landed on February 18, 2021. The helicopter was deployed to the surface on April 3, 2021.
The main goal of Ingenuity was to test the possibility of flying in the extremely thin atmosphere of Mars, which is only 0.6% as dense as the air on Earth.
This means that the helicopter has to spin its blades much faster and use more power to generate enough lift to stay in the air. It also has to fly autonomously, without direct human control, because of the long delay in radio signals between Earth and Mars.
Ingenuity exceeded its original plan of making up to five flights within 30 Martian days (sols). As of January 18, 2024, it has completed 72 flights, covering more than 17 kilometers and reaching altitudes of up to 24 meters.
It has also helped the Perseverance rover to scout potential areas of interest and capture stunning images of the Martian landscape.
Ingenuity has demonstrated the potential of aerial exploration for future missions on Mars and other worlds. It has opened new possibilities for scientific discovery and human exploration of the solar system.
