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NASA took a “big step” on its last mission to Mars, with the space agency successfully powering up the helicopter attached to the Perseverance rover, known as Ingenuity.
The six lithium-ion batteries that power Ingenuity were powered up and charged on August 7, NASA said in a statement. It took eight hours for Ingenuity’s batteries to be charged to 35%.
“This was a big milestone as it was our first opportunity to activate Ingenuity and test its electronics since our launch on July 30,” said Tim Canham, operations manager for Mars Helicopter at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. . in the statement. “Since everything went as planned, we will be performing the same activity approximately every two weeks to maintain an acceptable state of charge.”
Ingenuity derives its power from the nuclear power system of the Perseverance rover, known as the multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator, supplied by the Department of Energy.
The helicopter, which weighs 4 pounds, will allow researchers to understand the viability and potential of heavier-than-air vehicles on the Red Planet.
Assuming Perseverance successfully touches the Martian surface, slated for February 18, 2021, Ingenuity will perform a few test flights. After a successful deployment, Ingenuity will be powered by its solar panel and will not depend on the rover for its power.
“This charging activity shows that we have survived the launch and that, so far, we can handle the harsh environment of interplanetary space,” said MiMi Aung, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Project Manager at JPL. “We have a lot more firsts to do before we can attempt the first experimental flight test on another planet, but right now we’re all feeling great about the future.
The Perseverance rover was launched into space on top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 7:50 a.m. on July 30. His mission is expected to last at least a Martian year or about 687 days.
On the Red Planet, the rover will perform various functions, including searching for evidence of ancient life.
NASA’s longer-term goal is to send a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s.
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