INDIA: NASA’s Mars InSight mission made history by successfully landing on the surface of the Red Planet. The spacecraft touched down on November 26, 2018, after a six-month journey through space.
NASA InSight mission aimed to deep dive in the mysteries of Mars
The mission of Mars InSight was to study the deep interior of Mars to understand how it and other rocky planets formed and evolved. The spacecraft boasts a suite of sophisticated instruments, including a seismometer to detect “Marsquakes”.
A heat flow probe to measure the planet’s internal temperature, and a weather station to monitor the planet’s atmospheric conditions are also encased in it, which were crucial to accomplish its mission objectives.
One of the key objectives of the Mars InSight mission was to determine the size and structure of the Martian core, mantle, and crust. This information helped scientists understand the planet’s history and evolution and the processes that shaped it over time.
In addition to studying the interior of Mars, the InSight mission also collected data on the planet’s surface and atmosphere. The mission has been critical information to help scientists understand the current conditions on Mars and how they may have changed over time.
The Mars InSight mission is a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The spacecraft was built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and launched from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base on May 5, 2018.
The successful landing of the Mars InSight spacecraft was a significant milestone for NASA and a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the agency’s scientists and engineers.
It is also a significant achievement for the international scientific community, as it marks the first time a spacecraft has successfully landed on Mars since the Curiosity rover in 2012.
NASA expected the Mars InSight mission’s initial mission life to last at least two years. During that time, the spacecraft would transmit valuable data back to Earth for analysis.
However, NASA was able to extend InSight’s mission period by two more years thanks to intelligent energy and power management techniques by mission control.
The NASA Mars InSight mission recently radioed its final message from the Red Planet, where it bid adieu. The lander was running out of power due to the accumulation of dust on its solar panels. The layer of Martian dust was preventing the lander from harvesting solar energy.
The findings from this mission helped scientists better understand the history and evolution of Mars, as well as the processes that shaped it over time.
Overall, the Mars InSight mission is a significant step forward in our understanding of the Red Planet and will provide invaluable insights into the early history of our solar system.
It is a testament to the spirit of exploration and the boundless curiosity of the human race. It will undoubtedly inspire future generations to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Also Read: NASA Clicks Stunning Images of Mars Showcasing Craters with Mysterious Deposits
