Ingenuity Helicopter's Mission Ends with Broken Rotor Blade on Mars

NASA's rover captures final images of the historic Mars helicopter, marking the close of its groundbreaking exploration.

NASA's Mars rover Perseverance captured new images showing the Ingenuity helicopter with a rotor blade completely snapped off, marking the end of its mission.
Ingenuity made history as the first aircraft to perform a powered, controlled flight on another planet, completing 72 flights before its final crash in January.
The helicopter's final flight was over a sandy, featureless terrain, which likely contributed to its crash due to navigation difficulties.
NASA has named the site of Ingenuity's final resting place Valinor Hills, in honor of its contributions to Mars exploration.
The success of Ingenuity sets a high benchmark for future off-world flying machines, with lessons learned from its mission informing the design of upcoming Mars helicopters.