NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, the first aircraft to achieve powered flight on another planet, is now the first drone to fly on a parade float — in the form of a flower-covered replica.
The floral-but-flight-worthy display was just one of the highlights aboard "Rover Rendezvous," a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade held in celebration of New Year's Day in Pasadena, California on Wednesday (Jan. 1). Designed in part to celebrate the achievements of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the float was built by the City of La Cañada Flintridge, where the NASA and Caltech facility is located.
"This out-of-this-world float invites viewers on a journey to Mars, featuring an astronaut who teams up with an alien exploration crew for a thrilling ride in a modified Mars rover," read La Cañada Flintridge's description of its parade entry. "With all elements crafted by dedicated volunteers, this float represents the community's creativity and passion for innovation."
