NASA's Mars helicopter succeeds in historic first flight

NASA successfully flew its mini helicopter Ingenuity on Mars, the first powered flight on another planet, which the space agency likened to "our Wright brothers moment." — AFP/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Library of Congress

NASA successfully flew its mini helicopter Ingenuity on Mars early Monday, the first powered flight on another planet and a feat the agency likened to "our Wright brothers moment."

The four pound (1.8kg) rotorcraft lifted off at 3:34 am Eastern Time (0734 GMT), rose to a height of 10 feet (three meters), swivelled its tissue-box sized body, swayed in a gentle Martian breeze and then touched down after 39.1 seconds.