Ah - yup, was confusing the plan with something that had happened already. Apparently the rover will drive to a better takeoff site, then go through that proces

Ah - yup, was confusing the plan with something that had happened already. Apparently the rover will drive to a better takeoff site, then go through that process. But the helicopter will, indeed, be expected to survive on its own, not even landing back near the river. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-first-100-days-on-mars-how-nasas-perseverance-rover-will-begin-its-mission/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-first-100-day...