Why Did The Mars Helicopter Disappear?

[BOP]

Who knew we have a helicopter on Mars? Apparently, I wasn't paying attention.

Taking COTS items to the extreme of not turning them into GOTS.

The price tag? A mere $70M...cheap at half the price. Or something.

How a helicopter built of phone parts survived Mars for 3 years.

 

[BOP]

PS: it didn't disappear so much as it was out of contact for a while. They know exactly where it is.

 

[SamSpade]

I am surprised - I was under the impression that Martian atmosphere is so rarified, flight with things like helicopters and conventional airplanes is close to impossible.

 

[Sneakers]

I am surprised - I was under the impression that Martian atmosphere is so rarified, flight with things like helicopters and conventional airplanes is close to impossible.

That was my thinking as well.

 

[glhs837]

I am surprised - I was under the impression that Martian atmosphere is so rarified, flight with things like helicopters and conventional airplanes is close to impossible.

That was my thinking as well.

Just need more lift, its thin far thinner than where our helos cant fly. But that is offset by the lower gravity somewhat.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-taken-final-flight-180983667/

 

[BOP]

Just need more lift, its thin far thinner than where our helos cant fly. But that is offset by the lower gravity somewhat.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-taken-final-flight-180983667/

1st Law of Aeronautics - Given enough thrust, anything will fly.