NASA's helicopter recorded wind speed on Mars, leaving scientists astonished (photo).

Data analysis gathered by the Martian helicopter Ingenuity has revealed that scientists were mistaken about the wind speed on the Red Planet.

https://focus.ua/technologies/690849-vertolet-nasa-izmeril-skorost-vetra-na-marse-uchenye-udivleny-foto2025-01-30 12:00:37

The first aircraft in history to fly on another planet, the Ingenuity helicopter, which began its flights on Mars in 2021, concluded its mission in January of last year after an unsuccessful landing. Nevertheless, scientists continue to analyze the vast amount of data collected by Ingenuity during its 72 flights on Mars. According to a study published in the Planetary Society Journal, the Ingenuity helicopter measured wind speeds on Mars, which differ from those predicted by models, as reported by Universe Today.

Of all the planets in the solar system, Mars is perhaps the most similar to Earth, albeit with notable differences. The weather on Mars is harsh and extreme. The average temperature on the Red Planet is minus 60 degrees Celsius, although it can rise to plus 20 degrees Celsius at the equator. Mars has a thin atmosphere, 100 times less dense than Earth's, composed primarily of carbon dioxide, and it is very sparse, making aerial flights challenging. Winds also blow on Mars, just like on Earth, leading to the formation of dust storms. Some of these storms can be global in scale, obscuring the entire surface of Mars from view.

Previously, scientists believed that the model of Mars' atmosphere was fairly accurate until the Ingenuity helicopter conducted its measurements. Although it has not flown on Mars for a year due to its mission ending after an unsuccessful landing, scientists have utilized the data it collected regarding wind speeds on Mars and found that they do not align with the model.

While scientists once thought that wind speeds on Mars did not exceed 15 m/s, they were surprised to discover that wind speeds could reach up to 25 m/s. The results were unexpected, revealing that winds on Mars blow stronger than anticipated. Furthermore, the wind speed was measured by Ingenuity at altitudes ranging from 3 to 24 meters above the planet's surface.

Previously, wind speed data on Mars had been gathered using orbital spacecraft and rovers, but it turned out they did not provide the complete picture.