NASA Ingenuity helicopter makes historic flight on Mars

Ingenuity achieved the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft over the surface of another planet.

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter has made a historic flight on Mars, marking the first powered aircraft on another planet. “Altimeter data confirms that Ingenuity has performed its first flight, the first flight of a powered aircraft on another planet,” said the helicopter’s chief pilot back on Earth, Havard Grip, his voice breaking as his teammates erupted in cheers. Flight controllers in California confirmed Ingenuity’s brief hop after receiving data via the Perseverance rover, which stood guard more than 200 feet (65 metres) away.