The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and launched aboard the Perseverance rover, is set to take flight this week for the first controlled exploration of the Red Planet.
Data from the first flight is expected to return to Earth a few hours following the autonomous flight, with a live stream to cover the historic event, scheduled for Monday at 6:15am EDT (8:15pm AEST).
The helicopter team will receive the data downlink in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
If the rotorcraft lands successfully and remains operable, up to four more flights could be attempted.
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Cyber, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
Receive the latest developments and updates on Australia’s space industry direct to your inbox. Subscribe today to Space Connect here.
