NASA ends historic helicopter mission on Mars

January 25, 2024 at 6:39 pm EST

Ingenuity flight FILE - This illustration made available by NASA depicts the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars which was attached to the bottom of the Perseverance rover, background left. It will be the first aircraft to attempt controlled flight on another planet. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via AP) (AP)

January 25, 2024 at 6:39 pm EST

After nearly three years and 72 flights, NASA administrator Bill Nelson announced that the Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars has come to an end.

The announcement comes after images of its flight from January 18 showed damage to one of the carbon-fiber rotor blades upon landing, making the helicopter no longer capable of flight.

Despite this, Nelson also says that he is proud of Ingenuity’s accomplishments, and that the mission helped pave the way for future flights and exploration.

See video of the announcement below:

Leo Vargas, WDBO

Leo Vargas is a reporter and anchor for WDBO. A University of Central Florida graduate, Leo joined WDBO in 2022. His voice can also be heard in several commercials on sister station WOEX.