NEW DELHI: Nasa has reportedly lost contact with its Mars helicopter, Ingenuity. The potential setback comes just as Ingenuity was nearing its three-year mark on the Red Planet, having successfully completed 71 flights during its extended mission.
As per an update by Nasa officials, Ingenuity executed its 72nd flight at the Red Planet on Janaury 18. “The flight was designed as a quick pop-up vertical flight to check out the helicopter’s systems, following an unplanned early landing during its previous flight,” said Nasa.
“Data Ingenuity sent to the Perseverance rover (which acts as a relay between the helicopter and Earth) during the flight indicates it successfully climbed to its assigned maximum altitude of 40 feet (12 meters).During its planned descent, communications between the helicopter and rover terminated early, prior to touchdown,” the space agency said, adding: “The Ingenuity team is analysing available data and considering next steps to re-establish communications with the helicopter.”
The exact cause of the communication loss is yet to be determined, but Nasa said its engineers are working diligently on potential solutions. While the loss of contact is undoubtedly a setback, Nasa remains hopeful and determined to restore communication with Ingenuity.
“Perseverance is currently out of line-of-sight with Ingenuity, but the team could consider driving closer for a visual inspection,” Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages both robots’ missions, said via X on Friday.
Remarkable performance
Ingenuity and Perseverance landed together in February 2021 on the floor of the Jezero Crater, which harbored a big lake and a river delta billions of years ago.
Perseverance is hunting for evidence of past Mars life and collecting samples for future return to Earth. Ingenuity is serving as a scout for the car-sized rover, on an extended mission that Nasa granted after the little chopper aced its original five-flight technology-demonstrating campaign in the spring of 2021.
Ingenuity has been an instrumental part of Nasa’s exploration efforts on Mars. It was deployed by the Perseverance rover in April 2021 and has since surpassed all expectations with its remarkable performance.
Ingenuity’s mission on Mars was groundbreaking as it marked the first-ever powered and controlled flight on another planet. Its flights provided valuable data and insights into the Martian atmosphere and terrain, aiding future exploration endeavors.
Ingenuity has stayed aloft for more than 128 minutes and covered a total of 17.7 kilometers during its 72 Mars flights, according to the mission’s flight log.
(With inputs from agencies)
As per an update by Nasa officials, Ingenuity executed its 72nd flight at the Red Planet on Janaury 18. “The flight was designed as a quick pop-up vertical flight to check out the helicopter’s systems, following an unplanned early landing during its previous flight,” said Nasa.
“Data Ingenuity sent to the Perseverance rover (which acts as a relay between the helicopter and Earth) during the flight indicates it successfully climbed to its assigned maximum altitude of 40 feet (12 meters).During its planned descent, communications between the helicopter and rover terminated early, prior to touchdown,” the space agency said, adding: “The Ingenuity team is analysing available data and considering next steps to re-establish communications with the helicopter.”
The exact cause of the communication loss is yet to be determined, but Nasa said its engineers are working diligently on potential solutions. While the loss of contact is undoubtedly a setback, Nasa remains hopeful and determined to restore communication with Ingenuity.
“Perseverance is currently out of line-of-sight with Ingenuity, but the team could consider driving closer for a visual inspection,” Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages both robots’ missions, said via X on Friday.
Remarkable performance
Ingenuity and Perseverance landed together in February 2021 on the floor of the Jezero Crater, which harbored a big lake and a river delta billions of years ago.
Perseverance is hunting for evidence of past Mars life and collecting samples for future return to Earth. Ingenuity is serving as a scout for the car-sized rover, on an extended mission that Nasa granted after the little chopper aced its original five-flight technology-demonstrating campaign in the spring of 2021.
Ingenuity has been an instrumental part of Nasa’s exploration efforts on Mars. It was deployed by the Perseverance rover in April 2021 and has since surpassed all expectations with its remarkable performance.
Ingenuity’s mission on Mars was groundbreaking as it marked the first-ever powered and controlled flight on another planet. Its flights provided valuable data and insights into the Martian atmosphere and terrain, aiding future exploration endeavors.
Ingenuity has stayed aloft for more than 128 minutes and covered a total of 17.7 kilometers during its 72 Mars flights, according to the mission’s flight log.
(With inputs from agencies)
