"Exploring Mars: Helicopters Uncover Hidden Magnetism and Achieve Milestones in Flight"

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, which has exceeded its initial mission on Mars, has inspired scientists to plan two more mini helicopters for future missions. To enhance the capabilities of these space helicopters, a new study proposes adding a magnetometer instrument to gather unique data about magnetic fields on the crusts of celestial bodies. Mars, lacking its own magnetic field, has scattered patches of magnetized crust that could shed light on the planet's evolution. Helicopters flying at low altitudes on Mars could fill in data gaps and capture small-scale magnetic fields that cannot be gleaned from orbit. Similar efforts on Earth have revealed magnetic anomalies alongside tectonic plate boundaries.