U.S.CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Test footage shows a SkyFall-style helicopter lifting off indoors

The helicopters are meant to cover ground quickly and reach places a rover cannot, and the footage shows one hovering in a test enclosure; the tent was thoroughly explored.

On air: Vera Bullock and Hank Ledger on BBN Tonight
Published 9:47 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Vera Bullock and Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Tonight at 9:47 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Space's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by Space: “NASA's SkyFall helicopters will 'show us parts of Mars we've never seen before', scientists say”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 9:47 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Vera Bullock and Hank Ledger.
Topics: Mars.
BBN covered this story before: Mars explained: the red planet (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

SpaceNASA's SkyFall helicopters will 'show us parts of Mars we've never seen before', scientists say

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSpace.com reports NASA scientists say the SkyFall helicopters will show us parts of Mars we have never seen before, and this is NASA's footage of a test.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorRoll it, roll it, roll it! Look at this, it's sitting on the floor, it's so brave.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt lifts off the tan floor now, inside a big curved enclosure with purple walls.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThere it goes! It's hovering, Hank, it's actually hovering!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWatch the left side here. It keeps hovering and moving across the floor, and nothing falls over.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI'm calling this one Gentle Tent Day, and Gloria can take it up with me.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe helicopter is meant to reach places nobody has checked, and tonight it reached the far side of a tent.

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