The ‘Ingenuity’ helicopter, companion to NASA’s Perseverance rover,
recently contacted the space agency, checking in and beginning its function on Mars. If all goes well, Ingenuity would be
the first helicopter to fly in a different planet. NASA Science Mission
Directorate’s Associate Administrator Thomas Zurbuchen termed it as an “extraterrestrial
Wright Brothers moment”.

Also read | Fact Check: Sound on Mars from NASA’s Perseverance rover

Perseverance landed on Mars on Thursday, after travelling from Earth
for more than six months, having been launched on July, 30. The rover has
already sent back several images of the Martian surface, displaying her
readiness to get done with the check-up and start exploring the region.

The latest news, however, comes from Ingenuity, which is currently
tucked underneath Perseverance’s so-called ‘belly’. The helicopter weighs about
four pounds, as per a report by CNN.

The helicopter was able to contact NASA through the organisation’s
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which has been orbiting the planet since
2006 and delivering communication network between the two sides.

Also Read: In Pics | NASA releases stunning images of Mars sent by Perseverance rover

“Ingenuity, the Mars Helicopter I carry, is working as expected.
I’m currently charging it, but once I set it down, it’ll rely solely on its
solar panels. If it survives the brutally cold Martian nights, the team will
attempt flight,” a tweet from Perseverance’s account read.

Also read: After success of NASA’s Perseverance, a realistic look at human life reaching the red planet

The Martian temperature can dip down to minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit (minus
90 degrees Celsius). Ingenuity will be keeping itself warm by powering up,
until the rover places itself at a suitable, flat surface for take-off. Once
launched, the helicopter will be on its own.

A total of 31 test flights for the helicopter are planned as of now,
in case of the rover being able to find suitable spots for take-off.