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Mars Helicopter Aims for Another Speed Record Attempt on Thursday

Mars Helicopter Aims for Another Speed Record Attempt on Thursday

NASA has scheduled the 62nd flight of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, with the objective of establishing a new speed record for rotorcraft on the Red Planet.

Originally designed for just five flights as a technology demonstration, Ingenuity has far surpassed expectations, now entering its 62nd flight. The upcoming flight plan involves ascending to an altitude of 18 meters and covering a distance of 268 meters in approximately 119.3 seconds, achieving a speed of ten meters per second.

Flight 62 is anticipated to surpass the top speed reached during Flight 60, which was 8 meters per second. In terms of distance covered and duration, Flight 62 will rank 24th and 34th, respectively.

Ingenuity’s remarkable performance is highlighted by the fact that it was designed to complete its mission over two years ago, yet it continues to operate and achieve new milestones. This exceptional outcome is particularly noteworthy in the challenging Martian environment.

Ingenuity’s record-setting attempt will commence and conclude at Airfield Tau, with its goals focused on “Imaging science targets” and “Flight envelope expansion.” The Mars exploration continues to provide remarkable insights and achievements, as even the Perseverance Rover recently set a speed record by traveling 347.7 meters in a single day without human intervention.

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