NASA investigates Ingenuity’s final flight and explains why it crashed during its 72nd flight
Engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California and AeroVironment are conducting extensive research into the final flight of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which took place on January 18, 2024. According to reports, the helicopter aircraft, initially designed for a short aerial demonstration on Mars exceeded expectations by conducting 72 flights in almost three years. Details of the research, which will be released in a technical report, are intended to inform future aircraft designed for extraterrestrial exploration.
Ingenuity’s last flight
The 72nd mission was reportedly planned as a routine ascent to test systems and capture images. Records show the helicopter reached a height of 40 feet before descending. Reports indicate that communication with the vehicle stopped shortly after landing. Images received days later confirmed significant damage to the rotor blades, ending Ingenuity’s operational career.
Cause of the incident
According to reports, experts suggest that a lack of distinguishable surface features in the sand ripple terrain of the Jezero crater was the likely cause of the navigation system failure. Håvard Grip, Ingenuity’s first pilot, explained in a statement that the navigation system, which relied on tracking surface texture, struggled in the featureless environment. The resulting errors reportedly led to high horizontal velocities upon landing, causing severe mechanical stress.
Ongoing contributions
Despite being grounded, Ingenuity is still sending weather and avionics data to the Perseverance rover, supporting ongoing Mars research. Ingenuity project manager Teddy Tzanetos said in a statement that this mission marked a groundbreaking use of commercial off-the-shelf processors in space, demonstrating their potential durability in harsh environments.
Next steps for the flight to Mars
NASA engineers explore future designs inspired by Ingenuity. Concepts being explored include the Mars Chopper, a larger helicopter aircraft that can carry scientific instruments and independently explore challenging terrain. This development aims to push the boundaries of aerial exploration on Mars while building on the legacy of Ingenuity’s achievements.
