Mars Helicopter ‘Resurrects’ After Mysterious Silence of 63 days

NASA’s Mars Ingenuity helicopter “phoned home” after 63 days of dead silence on July 3, 2023. The helicopter had lost contact with mission controllers on April 26, 2023, after its 52nd flight. The reason for the communication blackout was a hill that had blocked the signal between the helicopter and the Perseverance rover, which acts as a radio relay.

The Ingenuity team was able to re-establish contact with the helicopter on June 28, 2023, when Perseverance crested the hill and could see the helicopter again. The data that was received from the helicopter indicates that it is still in good health and could be ready to fly again within the next few weeks.

The Ingenuity helicopter is a remarkable feat of engineering and has exceeded all expectations. It is the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet, and it has paved the way for future aerial explorers at Mars and, potentially, other space destinations.

The successful re-contact with Ingenuity is a welcome development for the mission team and for all of us who have been following its progress. It is a reminder that even in the harsh environment of Mars, there is still hope for exploration and discovery.