Science

NASA’s Mars Rotorcraft Restores Communication After 63 Days

The space agency said on Friday that after more than two months of radio silence, NASA has re-established contact with the intrepid Ingenuity Mars rotorcraft.

The mini rotorcraft, which arrived on Mars in early 2021, with the Perseverance rover, has already outlasted its planned 30-day mission to prove the feasibility of its technology in five test flights.

It has been deployed dozens of times since then, working as an aerial scout to aid its wheeled companion in searching for proof of ancient microbial life from billions of years ago, when Mars was wetter and warmer than it is now.

The 52nd flight of Ingenuity took off on April 26, but mission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California lost communication with it as it fell to the surface after a two-minute, 1,191-foot (363-meter) bounce.

The loss of communications was foreseen because a hill was between Ingenuity and Perseverance, which operate as a relay between the drone and Earth.

Ingenuity team leads at JPL, Joshua Anderson said, “Nonetheless, this has been the longest we’ve gone without hearing from Ingenuity so far in the mission”.

“Ingenuity is designed to take care of itself when communication gaps like this occur, but we all still had a sense of relief finally hearing back”, Anderson added.

So far, data indicates that the heli is in good shape. If more health tests come back normal, Ingenuity will be ready for its next trip, westward toward a rocky outcrop that the Perseverance team wants to explore.

In a blog post, chief engineer Travis Brown wrote, “It’s not the first time Ingenuity’s communications have been disrupted. The spacecraft was searching an ancient river delta when it went missing in April for an agonizingly long time”.

Also read: NASA: Training Begins For The Artemis II Astronauts

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Mumbai Police Investigate New Death Threat Against Salman Khan Linked To Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi

Mumbai Police is investigating a threatening message directed at actor Salman Khan, allegedly originating from…

15 mins ago

Uttar Pradesh Government To Tighten Control Over DGP Appointment Before By-Elections

Ahead of the by-elections, CM Yogi Adityanath's government in Uttar Pradesh will take greater control…

42 mins ago

Somy Ali Opens Up About Her Past With Salman Khan, Says “Being Known As His Ex Is A Curse”

Somy Ali, the former Bollywood actress and dedicated social worker, has shared her feelings about…

60 mins ago

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Raises Alarm Over Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed grave concerns regarding the recent violent incident at a…

2 hours ago

Indian Market Open Flat Amid US Election Focus, Select Sectors Show Early Gains

The Sensex slipped slightly by 68.22 points, or 0.09%, to trade at 78,714.02, while the…

2 hours ago

Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates; Smog Blankets National Capital

Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering in the…

2 hours ago