So long, Ingenuity

[Zermelo]

The plucky little 'copter has flown its last mission, but it's been another massive over-achiever for NASA:

https://www.space.com/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-mission-ends

[Ags]

The thought of a flying machine operating in the dusty vacuum that is Mars’ atmosphere is quite thrilling. And it made over 70 flights.

[Mognet]

For what was only meant to be a short term experimental aircraft it was quite amazing, especially as it was being flown on another world in preprogrammed flights.

The last planned flight was for a greater distance than the Wright Flyer ever managed

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/01/nasas-mars-helicopter-has-made-its-last-flight-above-the-red-planet/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Flyer

[Alan White]

I have followed this little ones flights and news with interest from the start.
To have done as much as it has is far more than the test flights it was due.
An over achiever is in fact an understatement.
 

[bosun21]

12 hours ago, Ags said:

The thought of a flying machine operating in the dusty vacuum that is Mars’ atmosphere is quite thrilling. And it made over 70 flights.

How can a helicopter fly in a vacuum? 🤔.

[Ags]

Well, the air density is 1% of Earth's, so not a complete vacuum, but still low enough to make your blood boil.

[Hawksmoor]

Cracking bit of kit!

[tomato]

Yes, a tremendous success, and respect to the folks who designed and built it.

[Chaz2b]

I think it’s now on eBay! 
One owner, slight damage, buyer collects.

chaz

[Mognet]

Seems like Ingenuity was quite impressive given how it was made. Nothing was space hardened, it was all off the shelf parts and made to a weight limit of just 4 pounds!

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/01/now-that-weve-flown-on-mars-what-comes-next-in-aerial-planetary-exploration/

[Zermelo]

I just came across the following account of the history behind the helicopter proposal, the strong opposition that it faced throughout, and the efforts made by a few key individuals to safeguard it:

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/02/before-ingenuity-ever-landed-on-mars-scientists-almost-managed-to-kill-it/

[Mognet]

They've managed to get a final photo of Ingenuity from Perseverance and it's definitely lost a blade. The missing one is sitting about 15 metres away.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/02/final-images-of-ingenuity-reveal-an-entire-blade-broke-off-the-helicopter/

[JOC]

Well that could take off and land without falling over, but then look at the design - low and wide!  Just saying!  

Well done the ingenuity team.