Ingenuity Mars Helicopter damaged its Rotor Blade and will never fly again!

Mars Helicopter Ingenuity broke its rotor blade during hard landing at flight 72. It has achieved a momentous milestone by surpassing its intended flight duration on Mars, lasting for over two hours. Originally planned for five flights and a 30-day operation, the helicopter far exceeded expectations. It completed an astonishing 72 flights, operated for nearly three years, and collected valuable data that improved our understanding of Mars’ landscape. Ingenuity’s flight missions allowed it to cover a distance over 14 times greater than planned, logging more than two hours of flight time. This showcases its robustness and durability in the harsh Martian environment. During its last flight on January 18, 2024, the helicopter unfortunately suffered damage to one of its rotor blades during tough and hard landing, what makes it unable to fly again. However, Ingenuity’s communication with ground controllers at Airfield Chi is uninterrupted. It has accumulated an impressive 128.8 flying minutes, co