US space agency NASA is flying an aircraft — a helicopter capable of flying in alien atmosphere — in Mars. The 1.8 kg chopper, called Ingenuity, nicknamed “Ginny”, is part of NASA’s Perseverance rover which was launched in 2020 and is still active on Mars.
The man who designed the aircraft is Dr. Balaram — an Indian citizen currently working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory or JPL. “It was a challenge making the Ingenuity helicopter as none believed in it,” said Dr. Balaram, who studied Mechanical Engineering at IIT, Madras.
Ingenuity is a marvel of technology, weighing merely 1.8 kg, It is made of ultra-light weight carbon fibre and is just half a meter tall. The density of air on Mars in about one-hundredth of Earth’s at sea level, or the density of air at 27,000 meters above earth, an altitude never reached by existing helicopters.
To fly Ingenuity the blades rotate at 2400 and 2900 rpm, or about 10 times faster than any helicopter on Earth.
Ingenuity is an experiment of sorts to test powered, controlled flight on another world for the first time.
Perched on the Perseverance rover, the chopper reached the surface of Mars like stowaway on February 18, 2021. The Ingenuity helicopter was deployed to the surface on April 3, 2021.
Once the rover reached a suitable “airfield” location, it released Ingenuity to the surface so it could perform a series of test flights.
The Martian-Day Experimental Window: A Glimpse into India’s Chandrayaan Rover Pragyan
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the similarities between the Martian-day experimental window and India’s Chandrayaan rover, Pragyan. It’s like looking into a mirror that reflects the future of space exploration.
A Nod of Approval for India’s Historic Moon Mission
Dr. Balaram, a prominent figure in the field, couldn’t help but express his admiration for India’s historic moon mission. “The Vikram landing was a hair-raising experience. ISRO should continue to chase its ambitious goals,” he enthusiastically stated.
The Success of Dr. Balaram’s NASA Chopper
Dr. Balaram’s helicopter has proven its worth, having completed its technology demonstration after three successful flights.
The First Flight: A Major Milestone
On April 19, 2021, Ingenuity, the NASA Chopper, took its first flight. It ascended about 3 meters above the ground, hovered in the air for a moment, completed a turn, and then gracefully landed. This was a significant achievement, marking the first powered, controlled flight in the extremely thin atmosphere of Mars. It was also the first flight in the world beyond Earth.
The ‘Wright Brothers Moment’ on Another Planet
Following the first flight, the NASA Chopper successfully performed additional experimental flights, each time reaching farther distances and greater altitudes. To date, it has completed 64 flights in the thin Martian atmosphere. Flying Ingenuity was truly the ‘Wright Brothers moment’ on another planet, Dr. Balaram proudly stated.
The Upcoming NISAR Satellite Launch
Early next year, we can look forward to the launch of an Earth imaging satellite named NISAR. This satellite, a joint venture between India and the US, will be launched from Sriharikota. It’s a testament to the increasingly strong joint space initiative of the two countries.
Dr. Balaram’s Future Plans
The soft-spoken Dr. Balaram is soon retiring from NASA. However, his passion for space exploration remains undiminished. He now aims to inspire Indian students to explore the wonders of space and hopes to contribute more towards outreach in India. He credits his hands-on training at IIT Madras as instrumental in the success of his career.
Unleashing Ingenuity: The Power of Student Potential
Hey there, let me tell you about something that’s been on my mind lately. You see, there’s this young lad I know, and he’s just one of hundreds, maybe even thousands, of students out there who are brimming with potential. These are the kids who, given the right opportunities, could truly make a difference. They could make India stand tall and proud on the global stage.
The Untapped Potential of India’s Youth
Now, I’m not just talking about academic potential here. Sure, these kids are smart, but it’s more than that. They’re creative, they’re innovative, they’re driven. They have this spark in them that just needs the right kind of fuel to ignite. And once it does, there’s no telling what they could achieve.
India’s Future Leaders
These students, they’re not just the future of India, they’re the future of the world. They’re the ones who will be leading the charge in technology, in science, in arts, in every field you can think of. And all they need is a chance to show what they’re capable of.
So, let’s give them that chance. Let’s invest in their education, in their development, in their dreams. Because who knows? One of these kids could be the next big thing. And wouldn’t that make us all proud?
Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
