Associated PressMay 28, 2021 10:30:37 IST

Due to a navigation timing error, NASA’s small Mars helicopter became the first major problem since it flew over Mars last month. An experimental helicopter named Ingenuity was able to land safely, a Jet Propulsion Laboratory official reported Thursday. The trouble occurred about a minute after the helicopter’s sixth test flight at an altitude of 10 meters last Saturday. One of the many photos taken by the onboard camera was not registered in the navigation system, the entire timing sequence was lost, and the aircraft was confused about its position.

The 1.8-kilogram mini-chopper succeeded in the fourth of the five scheduled flights scheduled for Friday. Image Credit: Twitter @NASA

According to Havard Grip, helicopter chief pilot, Ingenuity began to tilt 20 degrees back and forth and suffered a surge in electricity consumption.

The built-in system, which provides an extra margin for stability, “helped”, he wrote in an online status update. The helicopter landed within 5 meters of the planned landing site.

Ingenuity became the first aircraft to make a powered flight on another planet in April, two months after landing on Mars on the NASA rover Perseverance.

The 1.8-kilogram helicopter made the first five successful flights, each of which was more challenging than before. NASA was very impressed with the $ 85 million tech demo and extended its mission by at least a month.

Saturday’s troubled flight was the first of this bonus period. Engineers have spent the past few days addressing this issue.

Navigation error sends NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter to a confusing vehicle in the wilderness of Mars-Technology News, Firstpost

Source link Navigation error sends NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter to a confusing vehicle in the wilderness of Mars-Technology News, Firstpost

>>>ad: Don't Miss TODAY'S BEST Amazon Deals!

Originally Appeared Here