Tech-check: NASA delays Ingenuity helicopter's historic first flight on Mars

The space agency has called the helicopter operation highly risky, but stated that it could reap invaluable data about the conditions on Mars.

The robotic helicopter, which is currently attached to NASA's Perseverance rover, was initially set for Sunday (April 11) will now take off on the Martian surface by April 14.

The announcement was made on Twitter by NASA-owned Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

“1st flight attempt delayed to no earlier than April 14,” it wrote.

It further added, “During the high-speed spin test, the sequence ended early during the transition from "preflight" to "flight" mode. The helicopter is safe & healthy. The team is diagnosing the issue”.

#MarsHelicopter 1st flight attempt delayed to no earlier than April 14

During the high-speed spin test, the sequence ended early during the transition from "preflight" to "flight" mode. The helicopter is safe & healthy. The team is diagnosing the issue. https://t.co/ysnZzKR7qM pic.twitter.com/lP3NrIvGBs

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) April 10, 2021

As per previous plan Ingenuity had to fly for 30 seconds to take a picture of the Perseverance rover that landed on Mars on February 18 with the helicopter attached to its underside.

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.

On Friday, the high-speed test of the Ingenuity's rotors ended earlier than expected due to an issue.

Following the potential issue NASA stated, "The helicopter team is reviewing telemetry to diagnose and understand the issue and will reschedule the full-speed test".

Moreover, the space agency noted the copter is safe and had already sent information back to Earth.

The Ingenuity's flight is a true challenge because the thin air on Mars as it is less than one percent of the pressure of Earth's atmosphere which means Ingenuity must spin its rotor blades much faster than a helicopter needs to do on Earth in order to fly.

If the flight lands successfully on surface of Mars, the mini-helicopter will send technical data on Perseverance regarding what it has done, and that information will be transmitted back to Earth.

The data will include a black and white photo of the surface of Red Planet that Ingenuity is programmed to snap while flying.