NASA's Mars Ingenuity space helicopter is now ready for bigger missions, as the small spacecraft has passed its initial testing and 30 days of existence with the space agency before it is supposed to be discarded. However, worry not, NASA's Mars helicopter would not be discarded just like that, as it would continue with scientific exploration for the human race.
The world is still clueless about what is in or what can be found on the neighboring Red Planet, which is the last of the so-called "Terrestrial" planets in our Solar System. NASA is looking into its exploration and knowledge, but only these devices like the Perseverance Rover and the Ingenuity Helicopter can venture there, as of now.
SpaceX may be planning something grand for Mars and its first human flights towards the Red Planet, but the company is yet to achieve a working prototype of its Starship, the intended vessel for this mission. On the other hand, NASA is focusing its ventures on the Commercial Crew Program and the upcoming Artemis Moon Mission for 2024.
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NASA Mars Ingenuity: Scientific Explorations
According to NASA, the Mars helicopter is ready for its next "Demonstration" phase and would move on from its initial flight testing capabilities that it had in its three recent test flights. The first test flight only happened earlier this April, and it was a historic one for both Mars, NASA, and the Ingenuity helicopter as it was the first air flight on the planet.
After three test flights of the NASA Mars Ingenuity, the space agency has declared that it is ready for bigger and more responsibilities, and this means that it would further with the study of the Red Planet. Ingenuity was supposed to be a prototype, and would only be there for test runs, but it would now join the Perseverance rover for this venture.
This scientific exploration would cover more of the place the Perseverance rover landed, on Mars' Jezero Crate, and would look further in the Red Planet's environment and current situation. This new mission is called the "operations demonstration" and it would not disrupt Perseverance's mission of discovering Mars.
NASA Mars Ingenuity: Helicopter Would Not be Abandoned
Initially, NASA's Mars Ingenuity space helicopter was supposed to be abandoned after its initial testing process and after having discovered that controlled and powered air flight is possible on the planet. The "30 days of Ingenuity" has now ended, but instead of abandoning or throwing away the helicopter, it would be used for further explorations.
This is because of its outstanding performance when it was initially used by the space agency, alongside its healthy and well-maintained parts that would still be an asset for NASA in exploring the planet. This, alongside the Perseverance rover, would prove to be beneficial sources of information, in getting to know Mars.
Related Article: NASA Shows First Colored Photo of Mars to the Public Taken by Ingenuity Helicopter, Shows Red Lines of the Planet
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Written by Isaiah Richard
