Ingenuity still "as good as new" after nearly a year on Mars
WASHINGTON — After nearly a year of operations, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter is still “as good as new” as it serves as a scout for the Perseverance rover.>>>
Ingenuity itself has shown no signs of wear and tear after nearly a year of flying on Mars. "So far, we have found no degradation or loss of anything on the helicopter. It is as good as new," he said.
The helicopter, which uses solar power, also has no consumables to limit its life. "There's nothing consumable and nothing to stop us from continuing to operate as long as the helicopter remains healthy," he said, with the expectation Ingenuity will continue operations until something finally breaks.
That performance is all the more noteworthy, he added, because of the use of commercial off-the-shelf parts that had been previously qualified for space on Ingenuity, rather than customized components. "It is rather remarkable that we've had no degradation or loss of any aspect of the helicopter," he said.
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Date (UTC): March 11, 2022 (Sol 376)
Duration (sec): 129.2
Altitude:
Distance: 370 m (1,210 ft)
Max Ground Speed: 3.85 m/s (8.6 mph)
Route: Shift northwest ~370 m (1,210 ft) flying across Séítah to land at Airfield N
Summary: First of a few trips on the way to a staging area near the base of the ancient delta in Jezero Crater to scout ahead for Perseverance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingenuity_(helicopter)#List_of_flights
Overview:
https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter/
Okay I had to chuckle at the name of the "senior research scientist at JPL" quoted above.
"The intent is to keep the helicopter out in front of the rover to provide advance information that would help in its exploration," Golombek said.
That's because it looked like a golem,
... an animated anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore which is entirely created from inanimate matter (usually clay or mud). (Wikipedia - Golem).
But I looked up the name and I got to learn something new that's an even better pun WRT this spunky "Can-Do" lil copter hovering over Mars:
Golombek:
Polish: nickname for a peace-loving man (see Golab). Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): ornamental name from Polish golabek 'little dove', 'little pigeon' (see Golomb)<<<
Matt Golombek, a gift [of God] of a little dove, a senior research scientist at... Jet Propulsion Laboratory::
🕊
"A peace-loving man" is quoted in this article about Flight 21, which occurred on
Sol 376
Perfect, because the name "Solomon" comes from the word for peace, shalom [שלום], which = 376
See "Golomb" -- exactly, so now I see "colombus" (columbia, columba et al), meaning dove. The root/route can be traced at wiktionary from the Polish golomb.
Of course, this is all happening at Jezero Crater, an ancient lake.
The Spirit of God hovering over the surface of the waters in Gen 1:2 is traditionally likened to a dove, the soul of the Messiah.
and the spirit of God was hovering: The Throne of Glory was suspended in the air and hovered over the face of the water with the breath of the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He and with His word, like a dove, which hovers over the nest, acoveter in Old French, to cover, hover over." (Rashi)Fantastic mnemonics! I'm never disappointed by wandering off-the-beaten path.
Let there be light.
It's always something good. That's why I'm a big fan of Ingenuity.
March 11 was the 11th anniversary of the big EQ and tsunami in the Pacific ("peaceful"), in Japan.. the land named for its being the origin of the sol, the sun.
Flight 22 ought to be even more insightful.
Distance: 370 m
It's all a mashal [משל ,370], a parable. Q.E.D. [מש"ל , מ.ש.ל] as it were.