On February 25, the Ingenuity helicopter drone made its twentieth flight. According to the post published by the specialists of the mission support group, it lasted 130.3 seconds. In total, Ingenuity covered a distance of 291 m, moving at a maximum speed of 4.4 m/s.
Flight 20 was a success! ✅ In its 130.3 seconds of flight, the #MarsHelicopter covered 391 meters at a speed of 4.4 meters per second, bringing it closer to @NASAPersevere‘s landing location. pic.twitter.com/93pnuIuXaB
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) February 26, 2022
During the new flight, Ingenuity continued its return to the site called Wright Brothers Field. This was the point where the drone was unloaded in April by the Perseverance rover. It was used as an improvised aerodrome during its first flights. After returning, Ingenuity will join the rover on its journey towards the remains of an ancient river delta. Mission specialists plan to use the drone to conduct aerial exploration of the Perseverance route.
NASA engineers also published an image taken by Ingenuity during the flight. It shows the bottom of the Jezero crater.
Earlier, we talked about an interesting effect, due to which the blades of a Martian helicopter can make the air around them glow.
