Mars Helicopter Ingenuity April 19 made the 26th flightmarking this event first flight anniversary aircraft of earthlings in the atmosphere of Mars. The flight was unusual – to match the anniversary. The helicopter was sent to reconnaissance to obtain images of the impact site of the wreckage of the descent module’s heat shield and the parachute of the Perseverance rover. The mission was a complete success.
Image Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
During the 26th flight lasting 159 seconds, a 1.8-kilogram helicopter covered 360 meters at an altitude of 8 meters. The distance is relatively short for an almost record continuous stay in the air (the flight duration record remains 169.5 seconds). The fact is that the helicopter had to perform a number of complex maneuvers in the air, some of which it had already performed in the past. This time, Ingenuity was sent to the site of the fall of the rover’s cone-shaped protective cover (it also played the role of a heat shield during descent into the atmosphere of Mars) and a parachute for supersonic descent into the atmosphere of the Red Planet.
NASA experts, who are working on preparing a future mission with the return of rock and atmosphere samples from Mars to Earth, asked to take photographs of the fallen debris. It is important for engineers to assess the extent to which lander materials are affected by extreme atmospheric deceleration, impact and fire conditions. The helicopter took 10 color photographs of the remnants of the heat shield and the parachute powdered with sand, which even at first glance makes it possible to assess the highest durability of the structure and materials.
Image Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The heat shield partially collapsed, which is not surprising – it hit Mars at a speed of about 126 km / h. The parachute and lines appear to be intact, although detailed image analysis would require months of research. In general, the Ingenuity team assesses the helicopter reconnaissance mission as extremely productive and ready for further labor exploits. Ahead is reconnaissance of the prehistoric river delta at the landing site of the rover, and these are maneuvers, maneuvers and more maneuvers.
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