NASA on Monday described the moment when the Injury Mars helicopter successfully flew over the surface of Mars as part of its Mars mission ‘Perseverance’. The human-controlled Ingenuity helicopter’s flight to another planet was similar to the moment the first plane flew to Earth.

‘She’s healthier than she was before the flight,’ was the response from Dr. J. Bob Balram, the designer and chief engineer of the Innovation Helicopter. “She is now producing more solar energy by shaking off the dust particles on the solar panels,” Balram added, delighted with the successful completion of his mission. The small plane flew at a height of about three meters for about thirty seconds. The first flight of the Wright brothers’ plane was twelve seconds long.

Born and raised in southern India in the 1960s, Balram was fascinated by the news of man’s footsteps on the moon, and was fascinated by space science. Recognizing his interest, his uncle wrote to the US Consulate inquiring about NASA and space exploration. Instead, they sent the baby booklets containing information on how to prepare for entry into NASA.

Balram began operations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1986. After graduating from IIT Madras with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he received his doctorate from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. This was followed by his NASA entry.

When the helicopter successfully launched by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Monday, led by Balram, took off successfully, the dreams of a student who wanted to delve into the mysteries of the universe were energized to rise to greater heights. Dr. Balram on Monday wrote a new chapter in the history of space exploration.

NASA scientists were given ’30 seconds of panic ‘until a small helicopter took off and landed on the dusty surface of Mars, and Balram’s 35 years of knowledge of robotics technology’s success.

Content Highlights: NASA’s ingenuity J Bob Balaram, Chief Engineer, Mars Helicopter