In bid to probe the red planet further, NASA to test first helicopter on Mars in 2020

TAMPA, FLORIDA – The U.S. space agency said Friday it plans to launch the first helicopter to Mars in 2020, a miniature, unmanned drone-like chopper that could boost our understanding of the red planet. Known simply as the Mars Helicopter, the device weighs less than 1.8 kilograms and its main body section, or fuselage, is about the size of a softball. It will be attached to the belly pan of the Mars 2020 rover, a wheeled robot that aims to determine the habitability of the Martian environment, search for signs of ancient life and assess natural resources and hazards for future human explorers. Mars 2020 is planned for launch in July 2020, with an arrival on the surface of Mars expected in February 2021. "NASA has a proud history of firsts," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement.