Although it's not the first time which NASA and other space agencies use free software, or open source In space, it is still positive that in missions as critical and important as these, this type of project is trusted (although many proprietary software companies still see it as something of inferior quality). Linux and open source have already crossed the borders of the planet in several missions, and once again they do so together with Ingenuity.
Sure already do you remember other cases like that of the International Space Station (IIS) that I changed Microsoft Windows for Debian, how some robots use ROS, and many other projects of which we have already commented on LxA. Well, now you can add this other one that will surprise you ...
As you know, the Mars Perseverance probe was launched recently with success and will try to explore the red planet in depth to continue learning things about Mars, such as confirming if it ever harbored life, investigating current conditions, etc.
Once the project is done active on the surface of Mars, has begun to report data towards the earth, with a multitude of images that scientists, such as geologists, can analyze to discover if they are of sedimentary or volcanic origin, possible signs of water, etc.
All to be able move autonomously and to operate this small helicopter of 1.2 meters in size and a weight of 2 kg.