NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter fails its fourth mission

NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter has suffered “major problems” as it attempted to fly for the fourth time on Mars.

California’s Jet Propulsion Lab says “the helicopter didn’t get off the ground, but the team is assessing the data and will aim to try again soon.”

The lab was gearing up to complete a fourth flight that was faster and higher than the previous three.

In preparation, engineers said they would “up the time airborne to 117 seconds, increase max airspeed and more than double the range”.

In response to the failed mission, flight controllers expect to re-attempt the mission within the next 24 hours.