The operators of the "Ingenuity" helicopter lost contact with the device after the 72nd flight to Mars.

Axar.az reports that NASA announced that the incident took place on January 18.

It is said to have successfully climbed to its intended maximum height of 40 feet (12 meters). Communication between the helicopter and the rover was lost during the planned landing.

"The Ingenuity team is analyzing the available information and considering the next steps to restore contact with the helicopter," the statement said.

NASA experts intend to send the "Preservation" rover to the intended landing site of "Ingenuity" because the vehicles are now some distance from each other. Inspection of the helicopter using the rover's cameras will help assess its condition.

During its time on Mars, "Ingenuity" flew a total of 17.7 kilometers and spent 128 minutes in the sky of the red planet. The device performs aerial reconnaissance and helps the "Preservation" rover to plot optimal routes.