NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter survives first night on the surface of mars

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Nasa’s Ingenuity mars helicopter has emerged from it’s first night on the surface of mars.</p>
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The US Space Agency says NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter survived a cold Martian night ahead of its first flight on the red planet scheduled for April 11. </p>
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Surviving the first night after being deployed is a major milestone for the 1.8-kilogram rotorcraft because evening temperatures at Jezero Crater can plunge as low as minus 90 degrees Celsius, which can freeze and crack unprotected electrical components and damage the onboard batteries required for flight. </p>
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Ingenuity remained attached to the belly of the rover until the helicopter put its four legs on the Martian surface, which hit the Jezero crater on February 18. </p>
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In the coming days, Ingenuity will be the first aircraft to attempt a powered, controlled flight on another planet.</p>
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MiMi Aung, Ingenuity Project Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, said that "This is the first time that Ingenuity has been on its own on the surface of Mars."</p>
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"But we now have confirmation that we have the right insulation, the right heaters, and enough energy in its battery to survive the cold night, which is a big win for the team. We're excited to continue to prepare Ingenuity for its first flight test," She added.</p>
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Devising a craft small enough to fit on a rover, light enough to fly in the thin atmosphere of Mars, yet hardy enough to withstand the Martian cold presented significant challenges.</p>
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To ensure the solar array atop the helicopter's rotors could begin getting sunlight as soon as possible, Perseverance was instructed to move away from Ingenuity shortly after deploying it.</p>
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The sole purpose of the technology demonstration is to conduct flight tests in the thin atmosphere of Mars; The helicopter does not carries any science instruments.</p>
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Within 30 Martian days on the surface, Ingenuity will complete its test, and a scientific exploration of Jezero Crater's will kick into high gear.</p>