Photos: Mars helicopter set to take its maiden flight on the Red Planet

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Photos: Mars helicopter set to take its maiden flight on the Red Planet

By R. Dallon Adams March 25, 2021, 3:23 PM PDT

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Photos: Mars helicopter set to take its maiden flight on the Red Planet

Percy and Ingenuity

Image: NASA

Percy and Ingenuity

In February, the Perseverance rover landed on Mars with a small dual-rotor helicopter named Ingenuity strapped to its belly. On Tuesday, NASA said it was targeting “no earlier than April 8” for the chopper’s first flight attempt, which it described as “the first attempt at powered, controlled flight of an aircraft on another planet.” In this gallery, we’ve highlighted some of the best photos of the Martian helicopter ahead of Ingenuity’s pioneering maiden flight attempt on the Red Planet.

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA

Perseverance rover

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Perseverance rover

Perseverance’s WATSON camera snapped this photo of the rover’s underbelly showing the detached debris shield and the stowed Martian helicopter.

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Ingenuity up close

Image: NASA

Ingenuity up close

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA

Maiden Martian voyage

Image: NASA

Maiden Martian voyage

Illustrations showing Ingenuity airborne on Mars.

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA

Action area

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

Action area

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter snapped this photo of the Martian surface. The added map shows the rover landing site, helicopter flight zone and the airfield.

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

Mars helicopter flight model

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mars helicopter flight model

In this photo, a mission team member attaches thermal film to a Mars Helicopter flight model.

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Perseverance rover

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Perseverance rover

The Mars helicopter weighs just under four pounds and is strapped to the Perseverance rover’s underside.

SEE: TechRepublic Premium editorial calendar: IT policies, checklists, toolkits, and research for download (TechRepublic Premium)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Strapped in

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/KSC

Strapped in

This photo shows the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover being positioned inside the aeroshell. This structure protected the rover during launch and transport to the Red Planet.

SEE: TechRepublic Premium editorial calendar: IT policies, checklists, toolkits, and research for download (TechRepublic Premium)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/KSC

Launch prep

image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/KSC

Launch prep

The backshell and cruise stage containing the Mars 2020 Perseverance.

SEE: TechRepublic Premium editorial calendar: IT policies, checklists, toolkits, and research for download (TechRepublic Premium)

image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/KSC

By R. Dallon Adams

R. Dallon Adams is a journalist originally from Louisville, Kentucky. His previous work includes a wide spectrum of beats and formats ranging from tech-savvy urban planning initiatives to hands-on gadget reviews.

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