The latest from Mars

[soothsayer]

Link to tweet

?s=21

Link to tweet

?s=21


NASA JPL
@NASAJPL
Multitasking on Mars. @NASAPersevere has been aiding the #MarsHelicopter, but that hasn’t kept it from science. The rover is studying Jezero Crater's floor, which once held a lake. It may help us understand the ages of samples taken later in the journey. http://go.nasa.gov/3bgnmgs




NASA JPL
@NASAJPL
Feet on the ground, head in the sky. The #MarsHelicopter's feet & stance keep it stable and upright while parked. During its firm landings, the chopper’s sturdy suspension functions like a shock absorber made to withstand the forces Mars throws at it. http://go.nasa.gov/2Qal1MG

[Pobeka]

1. I was just wondering and found this answer about being blown over on the second link:

A common question, especially for those who have seen the movie The Martian, is whether Ingenuity would get blown over by the strong Martian winds or flung aloft by one of the dust devils that commonly pass through the area. Thanks to the thin atmosphere (1% of Earth’s), wide landing gear stance (45° tip-over angle), and low center of gravity (40% of the mass is in the fuselage), the parked helicopter can easily withstand winds in excess of 135 mph, far beyond what we expect to encounter.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Have to imagine they wind tested it, among a myriad other possibilities...

NASA is pretty thorough.