See NASA Mars rover's first look at the helicopter tucked into its belly

NASA’sPerseverance rover is doing its part to help make the first powered, controlled flight on another planet happen.

The rover’s companion, the Ingenuity helicopter, will soon get to meet the ground on Mars.

NASA shared a first look at the little copter under the rover’s belly after dropping a protective shield.

“Away goes the debris shield, and here’s our first look at the helicopter.

Away goes the debris shield, and heres our first look at the helicopter.

The view under the belly comes from a camera mounted on the end of the rover’s robotic arm.

NASA will share more details on the procedures and plans for Ingenuity’s deploymentduring a briefing on Tuesday.

The copter is considered ahigh-risk, high-reward technology demonstration.

It will be spectacular if it works, but not surprising if it doesn’t.

The space agency also shared avideo from a test on Earth showing how the helicopter will be set down.

Lots of activity next week as I get ready to drop off the helicopter for its test flights.

Ingenuity’s debris shield follows afterPerseverance left behind an ejectable belly panearlier this month.

Those pieces have done their duty and are no longer needed.

Ingenuity’s deployment will mark the beginning of a whole new aerial adventure on Mars.