Ingenuity Back in Action on Mars on its 14th Flight – Universe Today

[ad_1]

The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter took a short hop flight on October 24, giving the mission team both a sigh of relief and an anticipatory look to future flights. This 14th flight of Ingenuity’s mission was a short 23-second hover, with a peak altitude of 16 feet (5 meters) above ground level, with a small sideways translation of 7 feet (2 meters) to avoid a nearby sand ripple.

While the flight was short, it was a milestone for several reasons. It was the first flight after Mars solar conjunction, an approximately two-week period of time where the Red Planet lines up behind the Sun from Earth’s perspective, and solar activity wreaks havoc on communications between the two planets. While highly unlikely, there’s always the chance something could go wrong on Mars during this down-time and period of inactivity. However, all the various robots on Mars reported in as expected after reestablishing communications on October 16.

While this two-week conjunction time might be considered a “vacation” of sorts for both the robots on Mars and the mission teams on Earth, Ginny’s team was busy poring over data from the last time the helicopter whirred its rotors – which ended up not working correctly. On September 18, (Sol 206) another brief flight was planned, but because Ingenuity detected an anomaly in two of the small flight-control servo motors (or simply “servos”) during its automatic pre-flight checkout, the helicopter did exactly what it was supposed to do: It canceled the flight. The team later determined the rotors had oscillated (wiggled) too much, and later were able to conduct tests where they worked correctly. But then they decided to wait for the next flight until after conjunction.

Ingenuity acquired this image using its navigation camera, mounted in the helicopter’s fuselage and pointed directly downward to track the ground during flight. This image was acquired on Oct. 23, 2021 (Sol 240 of the Perseverance rover mission). Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Additionally, as the seasons change on Mars, flight conditions become more challenging. Martian atmosphere regularly thins by about 25% in the winter. To compensate, Ingenuity team has been testing out higher rotor speeds, and on flight 14, put those higher speeds to the true test.

“The Mars helicopter successfully performed a short hop in its current airfield to test out higher rpm settings so it can fly in lower atmospheric densities on the Red Planet,” JPL tweeted. “This test also leaves the team room for an rpm increase if needed for future flights.”

In the Ingenuity blog, team members wrote that the flight proved “that Ingenuity is capable of flying in the weeks and months ahead on Mars, during which seasonal changes on the surface will result in decreases in air density.” This was also the first time Ingenuity recorded black-and-white navigation camera images at the high-rate of about seven frames a second.

We’ll keep you posted on Ginny’s next flight and how the helicopter might continue to scout ahead for the Perseverance rover. Keep tabs on Ingenuity at this website, and Perseverance here.

Ingenuity’s parts and equipment. Credit: NASA/JPL

Lead image caption: Mars Helicopter Sol 241: Navigation Camera: NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter acquired this image using its navigation camera. This camera is mounted in the helicopter’s fuselage and pointed directly downward to track the ground during flight. This image was acquired on Oct. 24, 2021 (Sol 241 of the Perseverance rover mission) at the local mean solar time of 12:34:15. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech



[ad_2]

Original Post

39 thoughts on “Ingenuity Back in Action on Mars on its 14th Flight – Universe Today

  • 6 October 2022 at 1:02 pm
    Permalink

    I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for posting. “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

    Reply
  • 10 October 2022 at 2:45 pm
    Permalink

    After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.

    Reply
  • 22 November 2022 at 11:00 pm
    Permalink

    As I website possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.

    Reply
  • 18 December 2022 at 5:24 am
    Permalink

    What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-favored than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize thus considerably on the subject of this matter, produced me individually consider it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated until it is something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. Always deal with it up!

    Reply
  • 18 December 2022 at 5:33 pm
    Permalink

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation however I find this matter to be actually something that I believe I’d by no means understand. It seems too complex and extremely large for me. I am taking a look forward in your next post, I?¦ll try to get the hang of it!

    Reply
  • 24 December 2022 at 2:11 am
    Permalink

    Hi there, just was aware of your weblog via Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate should you continue this in future. Many folks will likely be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Reply
  • 24 December 2022 at 5:12 am
    Permalink

    Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to look more posts like this .

    Reply
  • 25 December 2022 at 3:38 am
    Permalink

    Hey there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  • 26 December 2022 at 6:21 am
    Permalink

    Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect web-site.

    Reply
  • 17 March 2023 at 8:15 am
    Permalink

    I must show my appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this type of dilemma. Right after surfing throughout the the net and obtaining ways which are not beneficial, I figured my life was well over. Living without the presence of answers to the issues you’ve resolved through this guideline is a serious case, as well as those which could have badly affected my entire career if I hadn’t discovered your web blog. Your skills and kindness in taking care of the whole thing was priceless. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t encountered such a step like this. I can also now relish my future. Thanks for your time very much for the skilled and result oriented guide. I will not think twice to endorse your web page to any individual who needs to have recommendations on this subject.

    Reply
  • 15 April 2023 at 2:04 am
    Permalink

    I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

    Reply
  • 15 April 2023 at 1:45 pm
    Permalink

    Some truly interesting points you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was searching for : D.

    Reply
  • 23 April 2023 at 1:41 am
    Permalink

    Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • 25 April 2023 at 9:35 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was once a entertainment account it. Glance complex to far delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep up a correspondence?

    Reply
  • 3 May 2023 at 5:53 am
    Permalink

    I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

    Reply
  • 4 May 2023 at 5:56 pm
    Permalink

    There are some interesting deadlines on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There is some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as effectively

    Reply
  • 25 August 2023 at 3:12 am
    Permalink

    Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you

    Reply
  • 17 December 2023 at 4:08 am
    Permalink

    hi!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.

    Reply
  • 28 March 2024 at 10:55 am
    Permalink

    Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a great web site.

    Reply
  • 1 April 2024 at 8:24 pm
    Permalink

    I will right away grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

    Reply
  • 1 April 2024 at 11:12 pm
    Permalink

    I believe you have observed some very interesting points, thankyou for the post.

    Reply
  • 10 April 2024 at 4:05 pm
    Permalink

    How Does Sugar Defender Work & What are the Expected Results? Sugar Defender is a liquid supplement.

    Reply
  • 11 April 2024 at 1:03 am
    Permalink

    FitSpresso is a natural weight loss supplement that will help you maintain healthy body weight without having to deprive your body of your favorite food or take up exhausting workout routines.

    Reply
  • 17 April 2024 at 1:31 pm
    Permalink

    I’ve recently started a web site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *