Ingenuity Mars Helicopter sets new altitude record on the Red Planet

NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has set yet another record on the Red Planet - soaring to an altitude of 20 meters and staying aloft for nearly 143 seconds.

The new altitude record was achieved by the tiny helicopter during its 59th flight on Mars, which took place on Saturday, September 16.

Ingenuity has set a new record!The #MarsHelicopter successfully completed Flight 59, flying its highest altitude yet – 20 meters. The rotorcraft was in the air for 142.59 seconds. View the stats in the flight log: https://t.co/1CXIWdYIAQ pic.twitter.com/mzxOmJfBXK

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) September 19, 2023

Ingenuity took its maiden flight on April 19, 2021, becoming the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. As of this writing, the helicopter has completed 59 flights in the extremely thin Martian atmosphere, far exceeding its originally planned technology demonstration of up to five flights.

The rotorcraft's ability to access hard-to-reach areas and provide aerial imagery has aided NASA's Perseverance Mars rover in several ways. In addition to scouting safe paths for the rover, it has helped identify areas of possible interest for the rover to explore on the planet.

NASA's Ingenuity has paved the way for future aerial explorers at Mars and, potentially, other space destinations.