NASA’s four-pound Ingenuity helicopter, part of the current Perseverance Mars mission, survived the first night on the freezing surface of the planet. 

Marked as a milestone in the rotorcraft’s mission, it will soon take it’s first flight. The rotorcraft had originally been attached to the Perseverance rover’s belly before its launch from Earth and separated on April 3, reported CNN.           

A demonstration of technology, Ingenuity is designed for a shorter mission. It has a goal of conducting five tests flights in 30 Martian sols/31 Earth days. 

Also Read: NASA to attempt first off-world flight in early April

Ingenuity project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MiMi Aung said, “This is the first time that Ingenuity has been on its own on the surface of Mars. 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,” reported CNN. 

Temperatures can drop up to -130 degrees Fahrenheit on Jezero Crater which was originally an ancient Mars lake bed. Ingenuity and Perseverance rover are currently placed on this crater. 

Ingenuity’s first could happen as soon as April 11. This will mark the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. It will attempt to rise 10 feet in the air from the center of its 33/33 foot airfield, take a turn and touch back down. 

Also Read: Mars rover Perseverance conducts first test drive successfully

The test run is expected to last for 30 seconds. 

In the meantime, the Perseverance rover will observe the flight, capturing images, video and audio. Those will reach Earth a few days after the first flight.

After Ingenuity’s journey ends, the rover will then focus on its science mission of studying rocks and collecting samples. 

Teddy Tzanetos, deputy operations lead for the Ingenuity Mars helicopter at JPL said, “Our 30-sol test schedule is frontloaded with exciting milestones. Whatever the future holds, we will acquire all the flight data we can within that timeframe.”