NASAâs Mars helicopter is about to take flight It will make up to five flights during April NASA's Mars helicopter prepares for takeoff By CNN staff | April 1, 2021 at 11:32 AM EDT - Updated April 1 at 11:32 AM (CNN) â NASA is getting ready to get some aerial shots of Mars using the first interplanetary helicopter. The Perseverance rover brought the 4-pound chopper called Ingenuity to the red planet in February. With two pairs of blades that span 4 feet, Ingenuity looks like a remote control helicopter. Far from a toy, it will capture images from a vantage point never seen before. "What I look forward to the most... we're going to get that first shot of Ingenuity on the surface of Mars on her own."@NASAPersevere integration lead Farah Alibay explains the excitement surrounding the upcoming first flight of the #MarsHelicopter: pic.twitter.com/3mV1KwNZXQâ NASA (@NASA) March 23, 2021