ABSTRACT: The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter achieved a remarkable feat with the first powered flight on another world, on April 19 2021. The technology demonstration that was planned for only 5 flights then went on to exceed expectations with 72 flights, acting as a scout for the Perseverance rover. This talk covers the technology developments that led to Ingenuity, coming out of novel research on autonomous aerial vehicles. It will then review what Ingenuity achieved, and how that has set the stage for future planetary rotorcraft. The continuous line of research will be shown, extending to the ongoing developments and future mission concepts.

BIOSKETCH: Dr. Benjamin Morrell is a Robotics Technologist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and California Institute of Technology, working on autonomous robots for exploring other worlds in the air, ground and underground. He is the Group Supervisor for Aerial Robotic Systems, where his group works on research and development of advanced aerial robotics as well as the development execution and operations of space missions for aerial robotics. His group has been deeply involved in the Ingenuity Helicopter, as well as developments for future helicopter missions. Ben completed his Bachelor’s of Aeronautical (Space) Engineering at the University of Sydney, where he also completed his PhD in Aerospace Engineering. He started at JPL as an intern during his PhD, before becoming a Postdoc, and then regular employee.