NASA Reveals Why The Mars Helicopter Crashed - The First Air Crash Investigation on Another World

This morning, NASA made history by unveiling the results of the first air crash investigation on another planet. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which exceeded expectations during its three-year mission, faced a tragic end due to navigation challenges in a visually bland terrain.

Key Takeaways

• Ingenuity flew 72 times over three years before its crash.
• The crash was caused by the navigation system’s inability to track features in a featureless landscape.
• Investigators used onboard data and surface images to determine the cause of the crash.
• Future Mars helicopters may require more robust navigation systems and power management.

Ingenuity’s Journey

Ingenuity was designed to be lightweight and simple, allowing it to fit inside the Perseverance rover. Initially, it was meant to conduct a few test flights, but it ended up flying 72 times, showcasing remarkable technological advancements.

The Crash Investigation

The investigation revealed that the crash occurred due to visually bland terrain. Without GPS on Mars, Ingenuity relied on onboard navigation systems, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, and a downward-facing camera to identify features on the surface. During the final flights, the helicopter traversed a dune field that lacked distinct features, leading to a loss of control.

How They Reached Their Conclusion

Investigators faced unique challenges in analyzing the crash. Unlike Earth, where investigators can examine wreckage and black boxes, they had to rely on:

• Event logs: The onboard computer recorded error messages indicating a lack of features for navigation.
• Surface images: Post-landing images showed marks from the landing legs and broken rotor blades.

Unfortunately, the event log was truncated due to a loss of power just before landing, leaving gaps in the data.

The Final Flights

The last series of flights (70, 71, and 72) were critical. During these flights, Ingenuity encountered a featureless dune sea, which complicated navigation. After an emergency landing, the helicopter had to perform an orientation flight to determine its position. However, it struggled to track the surface features, leading to a sideways landing at a speed of approximately 2.5 m/s.

The Damage

Upon landing, the helicopter twisted, causing the landing legs to dig into the surface. Investigators noted that:

• Three rotor blades broke about 60% of the way out.
• One rotor blade snapped off completely and was found some distance away.

The damage was not due to contact with the surface but rather the dynamic forces during landing, which caused the rotor blades to bend and break.

Power Loss and Navigation Challenges

Another mystery was the loss of contact just before landing. Investigators suspect a brownout situation, where the helicopter requested more power than the batteries could provide. This raises questions about the navigation system’s power requirements and whether it contributed to the crash.

Lessons for Future Missions

The investigation highlighted several lessons for future Mars helicopters:

1. Robust Navigation Systems: Future designs should better handle featureless terrains.
2. Power Management: Prioritize power for avionics to prevent total system failure during critical moments.
3. Improved Logging: Enhanced data logging could provide more insights during investigations.

Ingenuity’s Legacy

As of now, Ingenuity remains on the Martian surface, still communicating with Perseverance. It is expected to continue taking readings and storing images for up to 20 years, potentially providing valuable data for future missions. The full investigation report will be released next month, and the findings will undoubtedly influence the design of future aerial vehicles on Mars.

This investigation marks a significant milestone in space exploration, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of navigating another world. Stay tuned for more updates as we learn from Ingenuity’s journey and prepare for the next steps in Martian exploration.