A year after completingthe first powered and controlled flighton another world,NASAsIngenuity helicopter is still setting records onMars.
The rotorcraft traveled 704 meters at a speed of 19 kmph on its landmark 25th flight.
That might not win a Grand Prix on Earth, but its pretty impressive on Mars.
NASA this weekshared a black-and-white filmof the trip, which took place on April 8.
40% off TNW Conference!
you’re free to watch the feat by clicking on the video atop this article.
You may notice that the video is shorter than the flight stats suggest.
The footage starts about one second into the flight.
The entire flight is autonomous.
NASAs boffins plan the route and send directions to thePerseveranceMars rover, which then relays the instructions to Ingenuity.
After taking off, the helicopter relies on onboard sensors to navigate the landscape.
The new records arent the last of Ingenuitys ambitions.
After recently losing communications for the first time in the mission, NASA this monthre-established contact with the drone.
Ingenuity is now preparing for operations during the harsh Martian winter.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
