Nasa prepares to attempt first flight of Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars

Nasa has revealed plans to attempt the first flight of the Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars no sooner than 8 April.

The 1.8kg rotorcraft is attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover that landed on the planet on 18 February.

During its first flight, the aircraft will attempt a series of short hops in Mars’ rarefied air. Prior to this, a series of milestones are required to be fulfilled.

The rover deployed Ingenuity is protected in a guitar case-shaped graphite composite debris shield.

Nasa’s Perseverance rover is currently moving to the ‘airfield’ where Ingenuity will attempt to fly.

Ingenuity will have 30 Martian days (31 Earth days) to conduct its test flight campaign after being deployed from the protective shield.

The helicopter deployment process will take about six sols, which is equivalent to six days, four hours on Earth.

Nasa Headquarters planetary science division director Lori Glaze said: “When Nasa’s Sojourner rover landed on Mars in 1997, it proved that roving the Red Planet was possible and completely redefined our approach to how we explore Mars. Similarly, we want to learn about the potential Ingenuity has for the future of scientific research.

“Aptly named, Ingenuity is a technology demonstration that aims to be the first powered flight on another world and, if successful, could further expand our horizons and broaden the scope of what is possible with Mars exploration.”