Where the Little Helicopter on Mars Fits in the History of Aviation [Ingenuity 🔴]

Atlas Obscura ^ | FEBRUARY 13, 2024 | BY ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS

[Ezekiel]

If the past is any guide, things are going to take off quickly.

MARS IS A GRAVEYARD FOR explorers. Many orbiters, landers, rovers, and other mechanical critters that have either been cremated in the Red Planet’s thin atmosphere or fallen silent in the ochre, radiation-smothered sands below, right away or at the end of their technological lifespans. Many belonged to NASA, and the mantra of their droids seems to be: If you’re going to die, you might overachieve before you go.

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NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter -- affectionately known as Ginny, the first aircraft to achieve powered and controlled flight on another world -- is another member of that illustrious club. It was “retired” after a mission-ending injury in January 2024, and the demise of a hard-working and paradigm-shifting robot is cause for a modicum of grief. But its death is, in fact, good news for everyone on Earth. Its exemplary life offers a preview of our trajectory through the wild and wonderful solar system.

Ingenuity was primarily designed to be a demonstration. Everyone wanted to know the answer to a basic query: Can you fly a drone-like machine on Mars? Paired with the Perseverance rover—the first part of a Rube Goldberg–like multi-mission effort to find and deliver pristine rock samples from Mars to Earth—Ingenuity was built to make up to five flights across an alien desert over the course of 30 days. Anything else would be seen as a bonus.

It made 72. Starting April 19, 2021, it traveled 10.5 miles in total—14 times farther than planned. That, frankly, is showing off.

[Ezekiel]

A lovely article from an historical round-up perspective, in spite of the quick flash of “climate crisis” (it’s as if nothing gets published anymore without it).

We know Ginny’s arrived because she’s made it to Atlas Obscura!

[Dan in Wichita]

The Mars helicopter, Ginny, was a remarkable technological achievement, expanding our knowledge of the Red Planet immensely.

[bert]

and..... the man who suggested it be part of the package is to be thanked and congratulated for a fantastic thought

[outofsalt]

An uplifting story.
When we colonize Mars they will be able to doordash.

[Ezekiel]

and..... the man who suggested it be part of the package is to be thanked and congratulated for a fantastic thought

Maybe it was this fellow:

"Paired with the Perseverance rover -- the first part of a Rube Goldberg–like multi-mission effort to find and deliver pristine rock samples from Mars to Earth -- Ingenuity..."

Makes sense. It's right out of the can, er opening of BTTF.

Who can? Kal Kan!

[NWFree]

It’s dead Jim. Let it go

[roving]

It’s in Iceland, along with the rover.