Mars – Astronomy Now

Ingenuity Mars ‘copter makes historic first flight on red planet

19 April 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter completes a successful test flight, becoming the first aircraft to fly in the atmosphere of another world. Four more flights are planned.

Mars helicopter software update sets stage for Monday test flight

11 April 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA reschedules Mars helicopter flight for Monday, 19 April, after developing software fix for a computer timing issue.

Like a proud parent, Perseverance Mars rover snaps a selfie with Ingenuity drone

7 April 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover snapped a selfie showing the robot geologist and the diminutive Ingenuity helicopter on the surface of the red planet as engineers ready the drone for an initial 90 second test flight.

Ingenuity drone released from Perseverance Mars rover in preparation for test flight

2 April 2021 Astronomy Now

The Ingenuity Mars drone has been released from the belly of the Perseverance rover and is now standing alone on the surface in preparation for a long-awaited “Wright brothers moment” in the red planet’s ultra-thin atmosphere.

InSight lander detects two more sizeable marsquakes

1 April 2021 Astronomy Now

An ultra-sensitive seismometer deployed by the Mars InSight lander has detected two more sizable marsquakes, data helping scientists map the planet’s interior.

Now you see it, now you don’t: what happened to Mars’ water?

16 March 2021 Astronomy Now

New research indicates most of the water that once flowed and pooled on Mars may still be there, locked in minerals making up the planet’s crust.

First panorama from Perseverance Mars rover wows scientists

26 February 2021 Astronomy Now

The Perseverance Mars rover, getting a major post-landing software update, beams back a spectacular panorama of its Jezero Crater landing site.

Video provides thrilling bird’s eye view of Mars landing

22 February 2021 Astronomy Now

The Perseverance Mars rover’s thrilling descent to the floor of Jezero Crater was captured in stunning first-of-its-kind video.

Perseverance beams back first colour picture from the surface of Mars

19 February 2021 William Harwood

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover came through its nail-biting descent to the surface of Mars in excellent condition, beaming back dramatic photos that provide a taste of things to come.

Perseverance Mars rover lands on Mars, beams back dramatic photos

19 February 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Perseverance rover lands on Mars, the first step in a joint U.S.-European mission to bring samples back to Earth.