Posted on 04/12/2021 11:09:58 AM PDT by Red Badger
Based on data from the Ingenuity Mars helicopter that arrived late Friday night, NASA has chosen to reschedule the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s first experimental flight to no earlier than April 14.
During a high-speed spin test of the rotors on Friday, the command sequence controlling the test ended early due to a “watchdog” timer expiration. This occurred as it was trying to transition the flight computer from ‘Pre-Flight’ to ‘Flight’ mode. The helicopter is safe and healthy and communicated its full telemetry set to Earth.
Ingenuity Begins to Spin Its Blades NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter does a slow spin test of its blades, on April 8, 2021, the 48th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. This image was captured by the Navigation Cameras on NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The watchdog timer oversees the command sequence and alerts the system to any potential issues. It helps the system stay safe by not proceeding if an issue is observed and worked as planned.
The helicopter team is reviewing telemetry to diagnose and understand the issue. Following that, they will reschedule the full-speed test.
Ingenuity's Blades Are Released NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter unlocked its blades, allowing them to spin freely, on April 7, 2021, the 47th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. This image was captured by the Mastcam-Z imager aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover on the following sol, April 8, 2021. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
What are they going to do if it’s a mechanical problem? Send a mechanic? Sprinkle down magic dust from orbit?
There’s a weather risk as well. The bird may check out, but it could become windy.
This thing relies on solar power. I wonder if they considered recharging its batteries by having the nuclear powered rover sidle up to it and using a plug free charging like many current phones have.
I don’t think it will fly. Helicopters can’t fly above safely above 10,000 feet, and Mars is 174 million miles up in space so that right there should tell you it ain’t going to work. /S
They didn’t turn in the environmental impact report.
Yeah. Have it dock like a Roomba.
Virus lock down on Mars?
Having purchased a drone myself last summer, let me tell you, you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to fly them......
Send up a roll of duct tape.
“ Send up a roll of duct tape.”
Totally useless without bailing wire
What if it blows over?...................
Didn’t file a flight plan with the Martian FAA...................................
The diverse NASA team probably has the blades on upside-down...
To get it to fly, they may have to get to to roll over...
Drive the rover over to it and turn it back.
Duck tape
bailing wire
W-D 40
Have they tried cussing at it yet?
Trump’s fault or Brian Williams has yet to get there for the flight. One or the other.
Red Green would just say, “Get the duct tape!”
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