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If we understand "flight" as being the use of a wing to generate lift in an atmosphere, then I think we can safely say this is the first time we have flown on a
by tus89 6y ago
If we understand "flight" as being the use of a wing to generate lift in an atmosphere, then I think we can safely say this is the first time we have flown on another planet. I assume this little helicopter actually has rotary wings rather than fans.
- contravariant 6y agoIf we're splitting hairs then the lack of control seems like a better criterion to distinguish the two. If you ask me there's no reason a zeppelin would be inherently less 'flighty' than a helicopter.
- tus89 6y agoI think they are more "floaty" that "flighty" :P
- johnwalkr 6y agoIn the space industry, “flight” is used for all types of vehicles so I’d also argue to use that very broad definition rather than terrestrial terminology.
- contravariant 6y agoAnd even on Earth the term "flight" doesn't really care about the method, you've got 'balloon flights' for instance.
- rhino369 6y agoThe common understanding of flight definitely doesn't include lighter than air (well atmosphere in this case) vehicles. The first flight was in 1903, not 300 BC China when they used sky lanterns.
- monkeydreams 6y ago> The first flight was in 1903 The first powered flight was in 1903, with the criteria that it was not gravity assisted, that it was sustained and that it was controlled. No one is claiming that it was the first flight ever.
- sangnoir 6y agoLighter than air is flight - one cannot say dirigibles and hot air balloons are not flying machines.The distinction is made between lighter than air and heavier than air - for which the first was success was by the Wright brothers.
- jeremyjh 6y agoThe term used in the article was “powered flight”. This distinction is relevant in the history of aviation on earth as well, and usually that term is used.