NASA's Mars Helicopter Ingenuity will be the first aircraft to fly in a controlled way on another planet. As its own separate mission, the helicopter will hitch a ride to Mars attached to the belly of NASA’s Perseverance rover (part of the Mars 2020 mission). This animation reel simulates how Ingenuity will operate on the surface of Mars.

The Ingenuity helicopter is considered a high-risk, high-reward technology demonstration. If the small craft encounters difficulties, the science-gathering of the Mars 2020 mission won't be impacted. If the helicopter does take flight as designed, future Mars missions could enlist second-generation helicopters to add an aerial dimension to their explorations.