This was reported on NASA’s website, as reported by Ukrinform.

After the 72nd flight on January 18, Ingenuity sent images to Earth showing that the rotor blades were damaged during landing. This means he cannot continue his duty.

“The historic journey of Ingenuity, the first helicopter on another planet, has come to an end,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Once the flights are completed, the Ingenuity team will conduct final testing of the helicopter systems and download the remaining images and data to the vehicle memory. The Perseverance rover is currently too far away to try to image the helicopter on the final runway.

According to Reuters, the Ingenuity helicopter exceeded engineers’ expectations because it was planned for 30 mission days and no more than five short flights, and ultimately the device flew 72 flights because it relied primarily on a solar power system. Stay alert and avoid cracking during extremely cold Martian nights.

The helicopter flew over the Martian terrain for 14 times longer than originally planned, recording a flight time of more than two hours and eight minutes and covering a distance of 17 km in all 72 flights. Its maximum height was measured as 24 meters.

According to Ukrinform, NASA announced that contact was lost with the Ingenuity helicopter at the end of its 72nd flight to Mars on January 18.

The Ingenuity helicopter was delivered to the Red Planet aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover on February 18, 2021. Ingenuity made its first flight on April 19. Helicopter worth $85 million. It was the first aircraft launched to another planet.

Photo: NASA