NASA delays Ingenuity Mars helicopter's first flight to April 11

According to details, the robotic helicopter, which is currently attached to NASA's Perseverance rover, was initially scheduled for April 8 and now will take off on the Martian surface by April 11.

The announcement was made on Twitter by NASA-owned Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), but they did not explain the slight delay.

The JPL on Twitter wrote, "#MarsHelicopter is preparing to do something that's never been done: controlled, powered flight on another planet”.

"Takeoff is now slated for no earlier than April 11, with data arriving on Earth on April 12".

Come fly with us. #MarsHelicopter is preparing to do something that's never been done: controlled, powered flight on another planet. Takeoff is now slated for no earlier than April 11, with data arriving on Earth on April 12. https://t.co/TNCdXWcKWE pic.twitter.com/JSep5lcKhR

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) April 1, 2021

Officials stated that the Ingenuity would be the first powered and operated flight of an aircraft on a planet other than Earth if it is successful.