"When running an accident investigation from 100 million miles away, you don't have any black boxes!" NASA's Håvard Grip said.

After over 70 flights, the Ingenuity helicopter — the first craft to ever make a powered, controlled flight on another planet — crashed in the Martian dunes in January 2024. But its unexpected achievement (engineers hoped it might make five flights) has prompted the conceptual design and planning for what the agency calls its "Mars Chopper."

Ingenuity may never fly above the surface of Mars again, but the downed helicopter is otherwise healthy and could serve as a weather station for decades, JPL says.

Engineers now say they understand the most likely cause of the Ingenuity helicopter's crash landing on Mars earlier this year.

NASA built the Ingenuity helicopter for a quick jaunt around Mars. However, the aircraft was unexpectedly sturdy, completing an incredible 72 flights before its mission came to an end following a hard landing early this year.

NASA scientists have unveiled a concept design for their next helicopter that will explore Mars - The Mars Chopper. A short animation depicts the NASA concept for the craft that will buzz around the red planet,