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NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter has flown on Mars for the final time
NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter is no longer able to fly on Mars. The history-making machine suffered rotor blade damage on its 72nd flight.
Kris Holt01.25.2024Travelers used to catch helicopter taxis between Chicago airports
Today, transportation companies like Uber and Hyundai are building VTOL aircraft fleets to serve as short-hop air taxis. In the ‘60s, companies like Chicago Helicopter Airways just used a bunch of repurposed US Navy helicopters.
Andrew Tarantola04.24.2023Watch NASA's Mars helicopter complete a record-setting flight
NASA's Mars helicopter has shared video of its record 25th flight.
Jon Fingas05.31.2022NASA photos show the debris Perseverance's landing left on Mars
They could provide valuable information to help ensure safer landing for future spacecraft.
Mariella Moon04.29.2022Rocket Lab will try to snatch a rocket out of mid-air with a helicopter
The ambitious mission, happening this month, is part of a plan to develop a reusable orbital launch vehicle.
Kris Holt04.05.2022NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has flown a total of one mile on Mars
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has flown a total of one mile on Mars, and its 10th flight was its most complex to date.
Jon Fingas07.25.2021Luminar will bring its LiDAR tech to Airbus planes and helicopters
The companies hope to 'ultimately enable safe, autonomous flight.'
Kris Holt04.26.2021NASA's Mars helicopter travels farther and faster on its third flight
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter has completed its third flight, traveling much farther and faster than before.
Jon Fingas04.25.2021NASA's Mars helicopter becomes the first aircraft to fly on another planet
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter has completed its initial flight, marking the first time an aircraft has flown on another planet.
Jon Fingas04.19.2021NASA will attempt to fly its Mars helicopter on April 19th
NASA now expects to fly its Mars helicopter Ingenuity no earlier than April 19th, with live coverage that morning.
Jon Fingas04.17.2021Ingenuity Mars Helicopter completes a 'spin test,' moves closer to flight
Completing a spin test means the Ingenuity Mars copter could be a step closer to its first flight.
Richard Lawler04.16.2021NASA's Mars copter needs a software update ahead of its flight test
The Ingenuity copter should be ready to fly on Mars after it downloads an update... from 174 million miles away.
Richard Lawler04.12.2021NASA delays Mars helicopter flight to at least April 14th
NASA has delayed the first flight of its Mars helicopter to at least April 14 after an issue during a test.
Jon Fingas04.10.2021NASA deploys Mars helicopter before its pioneering first flight
NASA's Perserverance rover has deployed the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars ahead of its historic first flight.
Jon Fingas04.04.2021Volocopter opens reservations for first electric air taxi flights
The company’s final certification for air taxis is still pending.
Ann Smajstrla09.16.2020Volocopter's massive utility drone can carry up to 440 pounds
While Volocopter's been busy working on its air taxis, it's also preparing to enter the utility drone market using a similar design. Much like the company's experimental 2X and upcoming VoloCity, the aptly-named VoloDrone announced today is yet another 18-rotor electric aircraft, which can be remote-controlled or set to a pre-planned route in autonomous mode. But instead of carrying passengers, the VoloDrone is designed to fit various types of cargo and equipment under its belly -- be it a box, an agricultural sprayer, a sling or disaster relief tools.
Richard Lai10.30.2019Uber Copter’s $200 trips to JFK are now available to everyone (updated)
After a limited launch this past summer, Uber plans to open up its John F. Kennedy International Airport helicopter shuttle service to more people. Starting today, October 3rd, you won't need to be an Uber Rewards member to check out Uber Copter, reports Reuters.
Igor Bonifacic10.03.2019US Navy's next-gen helicopter drone is ready for service
It took a few years, but the US Navy's beefier Fire Scout helicopter drone is finally ready for action... more or less. The military branch has declared that Northrop Grumman's MQ-8C has reached "initial operational capability," or the minimum state it needs to enter service. The new, Bell 407-based variant is considerably larger than its 8B predecessor, but it's also more capable. The 8C can last roughly twice as long in the air at 12 hours on station, and carry roughly three times the payload -- 701lbs, to be exact. It also packs new radar with a larger field of view and more modes, including air-to-air targeting.
Jon Fingas07.09.2019Uber Copter's $200 flights launch in NYC on July 9th
Uber's autonomous flying taxis aren't ready to take flight yet, but according to a report in the New York Times, it will offer air transit starting July 9th. Uber Copter will be available in New York City first, to Uber Rewards members who've obtained Platinum and Diamond status. Unsurprisingly, the rides will have dynamic pricing that changes based on demand, but the average ride will cost between $200 and $225, according to Uber Elevate's Nikhil Goel.
Richard Lawler06.06.2019NASA proves its space helicopter can fly on Mars
The scientists working on NASA's Mars helicopter project are done building the actual 4-pound vehicle that's blasting off to the red planet with the Mars 2020 rover. But they can't just strap the helicopter to its bigger companion's belly and call it a day -- they first have to prove that it can actually fly in Martian conditions. That's why in late January, the team replicated our neighboring planet's much thinner atmosphere in JPL's Space Simulator in order to make sure the helicopter will be able to take off. Spoiler alert: they were able to successfully conduct two test flights in Martian conditions on separate days.
Mariella Moon03.29.2019