NASA updated that it was able to reestablish the connection with the Ingeniunity Mars helicopter after an unexpected period of silence.
The autonomous aircraft's communication with the Perseverance rover shut down, failing to relay any transmission from the helicopter to Earth.
NASA Experiences Problem With Ingenuity Mars Helicopter
According to the report, the Mars aircraft has been acting up before the recent disconnection. Previously, the helicopter had cut its flight short for an unknown reason.
Last Saturday, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reported that the communication between Ingenuity and Perseverance was terminated before touchdown. After hours of data analysis, the team managed to reestablish contact.
The NASA JPL performed long-duration listening sessions for the Ingenuity signal. "The team is reviewing the new data to better understand the unexpected comms dropout during Flight 72," NASA announced.
NASA Ingenuity and Perseverance on Mars
Both the Ingenuity and Perseverance landed in February 2021 within the Jezero Crater. The landing floor is known for harboring a big lake and a river delta billions of years ago.
The Ingenuity was launched to observe the areas of Mars where the Perseverance could rover to explore. The aircraft was initially intended to make five demo flights only but has now far exceeded the plan, with 71 completed flights.
Meanwhile, the Perseverance is tasked to collect evidence of life on Mars by collecting samples like rock. Currently, the rover has collected 60.53% of the intended samples which would someday make its way to Earth.
