San Francisco Frontiers - NASA helicopter's mission ends after three years on Mars

The tissue-box sized aircraft, which hitched a ride to the Red Planet under the belly of the Perseverance rover, first lifted off the surface on April 19, 2021.

Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity went on to be deployed a total of 72 times, acting as an aerial scout to assist its wheeled companion in searching for signs of ancient microbial life from billions of years ago, when Mars was much wetter and warmer than today.

Its longevity surpassed all expectations, especially as it was reliant on a solar-powered heating system to remain warm and prevent cracking during brutally cold Martian nights.

"It is bittersweet that I must announce that Ingenuity, the little helicopter that could... has now taken its last flight on Mars," said NASA administrator Bill Nelson in a video message.

"Like the Wright brothers, what they did back here on Earth at the early part of the last century, Ingenuity has paved the way for future flight in our solar system, and it's leading the way for smarter, safer human missions to Mars and beyond."

While the helicopter, which weighs four pounds (around two kilograms) remains upright and in communication with mission control, images from its last flight on January 18 indicate "one or more" of its rotor blades sustained damage during landing, meaning it is no longer capable of flight.

NASA unexpectedly lost and then reestablished contact following the final flight, though the relief for space enthusiasts turned out to be short-lived.

M.Hill--SFF