After tiny chopper Ingenuity, Nasa planning to send giant fixed-wing plane Maggie to Red Planet

NEW DELHI: In its pursuit of extensively exploring Mars to find signs of water, Nasa is considering a proposed idea to send a giant fixed-wing plane to the Red Planet.
The Mars Aerial and Ground Intelligent Explorer, dubbed Maggie, will be a solar-powered aircraft designed to take off and land vertically. Its technical brief states it can fly as far as 179 km on a single charge and is rated to cruise for over 16,000 km during a single Mars year, which is equal to roughly 24 months on Earth.
Maggie will fly 1,000 metres above the Red Planet and will focus on three science investigations: the hunt for water, a better understanding of the source of the weak Mars magnetic field, and the search for signals of elusive methane (which may or may not be a signal of life, depending on the source.)
The idea is still in a very early stage of development but it has received its first tranche of funding from Nasa.The funding does not guarantee that Maggie will fly on Mars but does indicate that the space agency is interested in similar technology to explore the planet.
Ingenuity helicopter
While there's no timeline yet for Maggie's first flight, another flying vehicle on Mars continues to exceed and excel.
Nasa's Ingenuity was the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet, a feat that's been called a "Wright Brothers moment".

It has completed 71 flights since first taking to the skies above the Red Planet on April 19, 2021, far exceeding its originally planned technology demonstration of up to five flights.
In its 71 flights, Ingenuity has completed 128.3 flying minutes, covering 17km, and reaching altitudes as high as 24 metres.
(With inputs from agencies)