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This is The Last Mars Photo

by Valentine EnedahFebruary 2nd, 2023

Too Long; Didn't Read

In 2018, NASA launched the Mars lander on a mission that had been planned to last for two years. In contrast, the little lander kept going for longer years, capturing images and gathering information about Mars' innards for four years. Now that InSight has finally given up after years of never-ending labor, it will die on its own.

featured image - This is The Last Mars Photo

Aware of its impending demise, NASA's Insight Lander shot what may have been its final image of Mars.

In this Slogging thread, our community discussed the end of NASA's amazing Insight Lander.

This Slogging thread by Valentine Enedah, Mónica Freitas, Sara Pinto and Marco Sullivan occurred in slogging's official #space channel, and has been edited for readability.

Valentine EnedahDec 21, 2022, 1:20 PM

NASA’s Insight Lander Sent Its Last Mars Photo
https://mashable.com/article/nasa-insight-lander-mars-dead

Valentine EnedahDec 21, 2022, 1:48 PM

A wide-angle snapshot obtained by InSight, depicted research devices lying on the Martian surface. At the time of writing, the tweet had approximately 275,000 likes and over 40,000 retweets.

Valentine EnedahDec 21, 2022, 1:49 PM

In 2018, NASA launched the Mars lander on a mission that had been planned to last for two years. In contrast, the little lander kept going for longer years, capturing images and gathering information about Mars' innards for four years.
The landers' power level was just a tenth of what it had been at launch because InSight's solar panels had been severely compromised by Mars' red dust, which had covered them.

Valentine EnedahDec 21, 2022, 2:14 PM

Despite the problems with its drill, the mission of Insight can generally be deemed successful. Over 1,300 Martian earthquakes were picked up by the lander, which also collected weather data, looked into Mars' liquid core, and assisted with the mapping of the planets' internal geology.
Now that InSight has finally given up after years of never-ending labor, it will die on its own.
What do you think?

Mónica FreitasDec 22, 2022, 4:11 PM

OMG, at first I thought you were talking about an actual person on Mars, and I was shocketh! This is the normal cycle for the lander, and as you said, expected. It did its job extraordinarily and now gets a deserved farewell.

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Valentine EnedahDec 23, 2022, 2:34 AM

Mónica Freitas I also thought about that when I first read the article.😂
It has been able to generate so many images.
I think we need more landers to explore more planets. What planet would you love to see more insightful images??

Sara PintoDec 23, 2022, 5:19 PM

Valentine Enedah, InSight lander did a great job. What awesome images it provided for us! Will NASA send another one to keep doing this type of work?

Marco SullivanDec 23, 2022, 8:56 PM

Valentine Enedah The insight Lander may have shared so many pictures of hope.
The possibility that we can have life on Mars.
I bid thee farewell as you journey into the land of no return.
How did you like my speech?😂
But realistically speaking, Technology has really advanced in the long run.

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Valentine EnedahDec 25, 2022, 7:13 AM

Sara Pinto Yes, hopefully they do that. There's so much to do and discover. NASA is looking at starting life on Mars, Elon Musk as well.

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Valentine EnedahDec 25, 2022, 7:14 AM

Marco Sullivan Good farewell speech!🔥

Sara PintoDec 26, 2022, 2:32 PM

Valentine Enedah, we already have some great images from James Webb Space Telescope as well. I wonder what we'll get to see next

Mónica FreitasDec 27, 2022, 10:01 AM

Valentine Enedah I think jupiter and saturn but anything outside of our system would be incredible

Valentine EnedahDec 27, 2022, 2:40 PM

Sara Pinto Truly, a man on Mars would be what I would love to see.