NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter preps for 60th flight on Mars

Last week, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter achieved a new record of soaring to an altitude of 20 meters during its 59th flight on Mars. The tiny rotorcraft is now preparing for its next flight on the Red Planet. The Flight 60 is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2023.

During this flight, Ingenuity is expected to fly approximately 326.493 meters over a duration of 124.18 seconds. The helicopter will reach a maximum altitude of 16 meters while heading northwest at a maximum flight speed of 8 m/s. The primary goal of this flight is to reposition the helicopter whilst imaging science targets.

Ingenuity will make its big 6-0 flight soon!The #MarsHelicopter is expected to fly 326 meters for 124 seconds no earlier than Sept. 25. https://t.co/BZsADFGySn pic.twitter.com/CH5crIyIsp

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) September 21, 2023

Ingenuity rode to Mars attached to the belly of NASA's Perseverance rover and took to the Martian skies for the first time on April 19, 2021, becoming the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. The helicopter was originally planned to demonstrate up to five flights, however, it has far exceeded expectations and is ready to fly in the extremely thin Martian atmosphere for the 60th time.

The helicopter not only helps scout safe paths for the Perseverance Mars rover but also identifies 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.