6 Things to Know About NASA’s Mars Helicopter on Its Way to Mars

In this illustration, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter stands on the Red Planet's surface as NASA's Perseverance rover (partially visible on the left) rolls away.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Ingenuity, a technology experiment, is preparing to attempt the first powered, controlled flight on the Red Planet.

1. It's an experimental test flight

2. Mars won’t make it easy for Ingenuity to attempt the first powered, controlled flight on another planet.

3. Ingenuity relies on the Mars 2020 Perseverance mission for safe passage to Mars and for operations on the Red Planet’s surface.

4. Ingenuity is smart for a small robot.

5. The Ingenuity team counts success one step at a time.

6. If Ingenuity succeeds, future Mars exploration could include an ambitious aerial dimension.

Read more here. And watch the landing of both Perseverance and Ingenuity live on Feb. 18, 2021.