Nasa's Ingenuity helicopter on the Martian surface. Nasa
Nasa's Ingenuity helicopter on the Martian surface. Nasa
Nasa will try to fly Ingenuity on Mars. If successful, it will be the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. Pictured is an illustration of the rotorcraft. Nasa
Nasa will try to fly Ingenuity on Mars. If successful, it will be the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. Pictured is an illustration of the rotorcraft. Nasa
As part of the first test flight, Ingenuity will climb three metres, hover for 30 seconds and then descend back on the Martian surface. Nasa
As part of the first test flight, Ingenuity will climb three metres, hover for 30 seconds and then descend back on the Martian surface. Nasa
Ingenuity hitched a ride on the Perseverance rover to reach the Red Planet. The rover landed at the Jezero Crater on February 18. This is a high-resolution image captured by the on-board cameras during the landing. Nasa
Ingenuity hitched a ride on the Perseverance rover to reach the Red Planet. The rover landed at the Jezero Crater on February 18. This is a high-resolution image captured by the on-board cameras during the landing. Nasa
Ingenuity was resting beneath a protective shield under the Perseverance rover. Last week, it dropped the shield on the Martian surface in preparation for the first test flight. Nasa
Ingenuity was resting beneath a protective shield under the Perseverance rover. Last week, it dropped the shield on the Martian surface in preparation for the first test flight. Nasa
The Perseverance rover had been driving around the selected 'airfield' to scout for a drop-off location for Ingenuity. Nasa
The Perseverance rover had been driving around the selected 'airfield' to scout for a drop-off location for Ingenuity. Nasa
Nasa used an image taken by the Perseverance rover to map out an 'airfield' on Mars, where Ingenuity will take flight. Nasa
Nasa used an image taken by the Perseverance rover to map out an 'airfield' on Mars, where Ingenuity will take flight. Nasa
Tracks left behind the Perseverance rover on the Martian surface as it scouted for a drop off location for Ingenuity. Nasa
Tracks left behind the Perseverance rover on the Martian surface as it scouted for a drop off location for Ingenuity. Nasa
Ingenuity is currently unfolding from its stowed position and will soon touch down on the Martian surface. Nasa
Ingenuity is currently unfolding from its stowed position and will soon touch down on the Martian surface. Nasa

Science

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

Engineers are upgrading the rotorcraft's flight software

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

April 13, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

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
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
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
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'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
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
The six-wheeled, car-sized astrobiology probe travelled 6.5 metres during a half-hour test spin within Jezero Crater. EPA
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km

Price: from Dh547,600

On sale: now 

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAESpaceScience