Ingenuity, NASA’s little helicopter that could, has been working on Mars with the Perseverance rover since 2020.
It was not able to communicate with the agency to receive instructions after a low-power event on May 3. NASA halted the Perseverance rover’s scientific operations to listen for and locate the Ingenuity helicopter. It did come online the next day with a reported battery charge of 41%. However, winter is coming to where Ingenuity is no Mars and it could make things difficult going forward.
Some are worried this could mean that Ingenuity’s mission, which has led to many more flights than originally anticipated, might be coming to an end. Mars exploration fans are sad about the possibility.
while what you said is true, my heart can’t take it! Ingenuity is by far my favorite operational space craft right now (sorry Percy!)
— chris (@Chris__spc) May 9, 2022
Even though it has it lived passed expectations it’ll still be unfortunate for it to die now.
— Donindacula (@donindacula) May 9, 2022
Others are optimistic that NASA will try to keep it going as much as possible and even offered possible fixes to keep the solar panels clear.
Hopefully. I expect Ingenuity can make it ahead. Helpful work in concordance with Perseverance rover. Great job!
— Ingrid (@Ingrid77980505) May 8, 2022
In short you need to install wipers on solar panels.
— 𝒜𝐻𝒮𝒜𝒩 𝐹𝒜𝑅𝒪𝒪𝒬𝒰𝐼 (@M_AhsanFarooqui) May 9, 2022