NASA's first aircraft to fly on another planet gets a name, courtesy Indian-origin student

A student from America's Alabama High School, Vaneeza Rupani, has named NASA's first powered flying rover on ar planet as 'Ingenuity'. During NASA's 'name rover' contest, Rupani came up with name and won contest with her reasoning. Rupani's participation in contest was among 28,000 or essays submitted to NASA by K-12 students from every US state and territory recommending names for next Mars rover.

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" ingenuity and brilliance of people working hard to overcome challenges of interplanetary travel are what allow us all to experience wonders of exploration. Ingenuity is what allows people to accomplish amazing things, and it allows us to expand our horizons to edges of universe," Rupani said in her contest submission.

In March, premier ncy h anunced name of its Mars Rover as 'Perseverance' through essay of a seventh-grer named Alexander Mar. ncy thought it was only apt to name helicopter that will accompany rover to Mars, hence NASA officials revisited submissions to choose a name for helicopter.

Thomas Zurbuchen, associate ministrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, me choice for rover's name, and NASA ministrator Jim Bridenstine chose name for helicopter.

"Ingenuity encapsulates values that our helicopter tech demo will showcase for everyone when it takes off next year as first aircraft on ar planet's surface. It took a lot of hard and ingenious work to get helicopter rey and n placed on rover, and re's a lot more going to be required," said Bridenstine.

"I was happy we h ar great name from naming contest finalists from which I was able to select something so representative of this exciting part of our next mission to Mars" ded Bridenstine.

"I am proud that NASA's Mars Helicopter will be named by Vaneeza Rupani of rthport, Alabama. This is a unique privilege. Ms. Rupani's essay on why she chose name 'Ingenuity' highlights her creativity, originality, and intelligence," said Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama.

"Her grasp on importance of exploration is extraordinary, and I am confident that she has a bright future ahe. Congratulations to Ms. Rupani on being selected for this prestigious hor," ded Shelby.

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Launch in July, Mars landing in Feb 2021 

helicopter will ride to Mars attached to belly of Perseverance rover, which is preparing for launch in July or August. For several months following rover's landing, Ingenuity will remain encapsulated in a protective cover to shield it from debris during entry, descent and landing. When timing in rover mission is right, Ingenuity will be deployed to stand and operate on its own on surface of Red Planet. NASA's Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are currently undergoing final assembly and checkout at ncy's Kennedy Center in Florida.

It will be launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in July and land at Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021.

(With ANI inputs)