"Farewell and Final Tribute: NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter's Last Message"

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter team bid farewell to the pioneering rotorcraft, which sustained rotor damage during its 72nd and final flight. Despite the setback, the team confirmed a software patch that will allow Ingenuity to function as a stationary testbed and collect data for future Mars explorers. The helicopter, which exceeded expectations by flying 10.5 miles and staying aloft for 129 minutes, will continue to operate as long as possible, providing valuable data on Martian weather patterns and dust movement.