Daily News Analysis

Ingenuity helicopter on Mars- USA

stylish_lining

NASA has re-established contact with its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, the US space agency said recently.

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter

  • It is a small, autonomous aircraft. that flew to Mars aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.
  • It was sent to Mars to perform experimental flight tests to determine if powered, controlled flight at the Red Planet was possible.
  • Ingenuity’s mission is experimental in nature and completely independent of the rover’s science mission.
  • Ingenuity was deployed to the surface on April 4, 2021.

On April 19, it became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. 

    • It rose to a height of 10 feet, hovered for 30 seconds, and then descended back to the ground.
    • The flight lasted 39.1 seconds. 
    • It managed to fly in Mars’ thin atmosphere, which isn’t conducive for flying.

It’s piloted by onboard guidance, navigation, and control systems running algorithms.Perseverance acts as a relay between the chopper and the earth.

Perseverance Rover

  • It is a robotic explorer to land on Mars as part of NASA’s ongoing Mars 2020 Mission.
  • Main Job: Seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for possible return to Earth.
  • The rover will collect samples of rock and soil, encase them in tubes, and leave them on the planet's surface to be returned to Earth at a future date.
  • Launch: It was launched on July 30, 2020, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • Landing: Successfully landed on the surface of Mar's Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021.
  • Features:
    • It is about 3 metres long, 2.7 metres wide, and 2.2 metres tall.
    • It is about the size of a car but weighs only about 1,025 kilograms with all instruments on board.
    • Power source: Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). 

Converts heat from the radioactive decay of plutonium into electricity.

Kakori Train Action

The Kakori Train Action, which took place on August 9, 1925, marks one of the most iconic acts of resistance against British rule in India. It was a daring revolutionary act orchestrated by the Hi
Share It

WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML)

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released updated editions of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML), adding new treatments for various types of cancer, diabetes, and obesity as
Share It

Global Power Dynamics

India’s aspiration to become a global power is a compelling journey marked by both significant challenges and substantial opportunities. As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,
Share It

India Electric Mobility Index

The NITI Aayog report “Unlocking a 200 Billion Dollar Opportunity: Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India” and the launch of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) highlight both the poten
Share It

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

Why in the News? The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering tribal communities, fostering grassroots leadership, and
Share It

Indian Ports Act, 2025

Why is the Indian Ports Act, 2025 in the News? The President of India has granted assent to the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which replaces the previous Indian Ports Act of 1908. This new Act aims t
Share It

Private Sector in Defense Production

The growth in private sector participation in India's defense production marks a significant shift in the country’s defense strategy and industrial landscape. The private sector share in
Share It

India-Mauritius

The visit of the Prime Minister of Mauritius to Varanasi marked a significant milestone in strengthening the India-Mauritius bilateral ties. Describing India as a trusted partner in Mauritius'
Share It

solar manufacturing ecosystem

India's ambitious plan to develop a fully indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem by 2028 is an essential step towards achieving energy security, sustainability, and enhancing its position as
Share It

Political Unrest in Nepal

Nepal’s ongoing political unrest, exacerbated by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation and youth-led protests, has created a volatile environment that directly impacts India&rsqu
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS