NASA's helicopter on Mars needs a software update before flight tests

The Ingenuity team solves the "command sequence problem" with new flight control software.

The team that created the NASA helicopter studied the data from an earlier test Ingenuity, developed a plan to prepare the ego for a flight to Mars. Although the timing of its flight tests has not yet been determined, the team is modifying and reinstalling the copter's flight control software to resolve a "command sequence problem."

News from the Red Planet: The Ingenuity #MarsHelicopter continues to be healthy, and work progresses towards its first flight on Mars. A detailed timeline for rescheduling is still in process. Details: https://t.co/V0Z0Wa6m3q pic.twitter.com/zyjK5GM52R

- NASA (@NASA) April 12, 2021

We've all probably had one or two software installations that failed and weren't delivered over a wireless network more than 174 million miles to the first vehicle that attempted to fly to another planet.

As expected, the team will first test the new software here, then download it and hopefully set a date for more tests next week.

Materials:

• https://www.engadget.com/ingenuity-mars-update-035545036.html