NASA readies Ingenuity Mars helicopter for first flight above the red planet

A small drone-like helicopter that hitched a ride to Mars aboard the Perseverance rover is being readied for its "Wright brothers' moment" on the red planet as early as April 8, engineers said Tuesday. It would be the first powered takeoff and landing on another world.

Appropriately enough, the $80 million Ingenuity Mars helicopter is carrying a postage stamp-size piece of fabric from the Wright Flyer, the first aircraft the Wright brothers successfully flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. The first of up to five test flights for the 4-pound drone could come as early as April 8, although engineers cautioned they will not proceed until the craft is thoroughly checked out and data from the rover indicates favorable winds and weather.