Historic first flight for Nasa's $85 million Mars helicopter delayed

The first flight of Nasa's Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, was delayed so engineers could update the software on the tiny rotorcraft.

The $85 million technology demonstration involves the first controlled, powered flight on another planet.

A high-speed spin test of the rotors last week ended earlier than planned.

Engineers have now identified the issue and are updating the software, with a new flight date to be confirmed.

The landmark flight was initially planned for Monday.

“Over the weekend, the team considered and tested multiple potential solutions to this issue, concluding that minor modification and reinstallation of Ingenuity’s flight control software is the most robust path forward,” Nasa said.

“This software update will modify the process by which the two flight controllers boot up, allowing the hardware and software to safely transition to the flight state.

“Modifications to the flight software are being independently reviewed and validated today and tomorrow in testbeds at [the] Jet Propulsion Laboratory.”

The 1.8-kilogram chopper is healthy and critical functions, such as power, communications and thermal control, are stable.

Ingenuity has survived several key milestones so far, including the 'drop-off' from the Perseverance rover's belly.

The rotorcraft has also survived freezing Martian nights, when temperatures drop to as low as minus 130 degrees Celsius.

Its six lithium-ion batteries keep the heater running for several hours, before needing to recharge through the onboard solar panels.

“It is not unexpected for a technology demonstration like this to encounter challenges that need to be worked in real time,” said Nasa.

“The high-risk, high-reward approach we have taken to the first powered, controlled flight on another planet allows us to push the performance envelope in ways we could not with a mission designed to last for years such as Perseverance.”

Ingenuity aims to measure the engineering capabilities of Nasa and pave the way for more advanced, science-focused missions in the future.

'Perseverance' rover's first drive on Mars - in pictures

Wheel marks are left in the soil of Jezero Crater on Mars as Nasa's Perseverance rover drives on the Martian surface for the first time. Reuters

A tall outcropping of rock, with layered deposits of sediments in the distance, marking a remnant of an ancient, long-vanished river delta in Jezero Crater. Reuters

Tyre marks left by the rover as it moved for the first time since landing on Mars on February 18. EPA

Perseverance's main mission on Mars is astrobiology and the search for signs of ancient microbial life. EPA

Perseverance is capable of driving 200 metres per day but Nasa engineers have additional equipment checks to run on the rover's many instruments before attempting such a distance. EPA

The six-wheeled, car-sized astrobiology probe travelled 6.5 metres during a half-hour test spin within Jezero Crater. EPA

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.