NASA’s Mars Helicopter Ingenuity landed successfully after its first flight. This is the first helicopter to Mars from another planet. It is much harder to fly in a controlled way on Mars than on Earth. Although it has gravity but is about one-third of the earth. Moreover, its atmosphere is only 1 percent of the Earth’s.
On the surface of Mars, about half the amount of solar energy can be gained in comparison to the Earth during the daytime. At night its temperature is minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 90 degrees Celsius. It can fall even down.
Weighing in at 1.8 kg, the solar-powered helicopter has a state-of-the-art wireless system and the rotational speed of the engine is 2400 rpm! Whereas the blades of ordinary helicopters can rotate at 450-500 rpm. There are also computers, sensors and two cameras.
Helicopters at high altitudes have a world record of 40,000 feet, for aeroplanes that are 75,000 feet; but incredible ingenuity can fly at altitudes of 100,000 feet (30.5 kilometers). This is because the atmosphere on Mars is much thinner than on Earth. Surface pressure is about 610 Pascal (0.06 PSI) which is less than 1% of the Earth’s standard!
