The Mars Ingenuity helicopter has unlocked the two rotor blades as preparations continue for the first flight, which is scheduled to take place no earlier than Sunday (April 11).
Ingenuity arrived on Mars on February 18 with NASA. Persistence all-terrain vehicle, having made a long way to the Red Planet, thrusting into the belly of the rover. On April 4, the small helicopter parted ways with Perseverance, preparing to take to the skies for a month-long test campaign. If Sunday’s combat mission Ingenuity is successful, it will be the first to be guided and controlled. flight to another planet…
“The blades of glory, also known as the #MarsHelicopter rotor blades, are unlocked and ready for testing.” – NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. wrote in a tweet posted early this morning (April 8). “Then we will do a slow spinning of the blades for the first time on the Martian surface.”
Connected: These selfies with NASA helicopter on Mars and Perseverance rover are amazing
“Mind control, right?” Blades of Glory, also known as #MarsHelicopter rotor blades, are unlocked and ready to be challenged. Then, for the first time on the Martian surface, we will do a slow spinning of the blades. https://t.co/TNCdXWcKWE pic.twitter.com/ZUTHRGFGiaApril 8, 2021
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The flight preparation process was slow and careful, due in part to the fact that it was 4 pounds. The helicopter (1.8 kg) made a trip to Mars folded, filled with a protective shield.
After the rover dropped this shield and drove to the airfield, the helicopter personnel were forced to order the device unzip and slowly unfold yourself… Perseverance then had to direct Ingenuity directly to the surface of Mars and leave in order for the helicopter’s solar panels to start supporting the aircraft.
The unlocking and testing of the Ingenuity blades marks the last major milestones before the helicopter’s attempt to take off. NASA officials said they will first test the blades at 50 and then at 2,400 rpm before the helicopter attempts to take off.
Meanwhile, while Ingenuity prepares to fly, Perseverance explores the landscapes and continues to establish itself on the Red Planet. Among other things, the rover the size of a car took photographs of its own tire tracks and its sophisticated scientific device.
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