NASA spacecraft spots a dead robot on the surface of Mars

Dormant InSight Lander: NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of the now-dormant InSight lander on the Martian surface, a poignant reminder of its significant mission.

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Launch and Mission: InSight was launched on May 5, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base and touched down on Elysium Planitia on November 26, 2018, to study Mars' interior.

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Scientific Contributions: InSight detected over 1,300 marsquakes, providing valuable data on Martian tectonics and the planet's internal structure.

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Heat Probe Challenges: The lander’s heat probe, known as 'the mole', faced difficulties penetrating the clumpy Martian soil but still gathered essential thermal property data.

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Weather Station: InSight’s weather station provided daily updates on Mars' temperature, wind, and pressure, enhancing our understanding of Martian meteorology.

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Solar Power Limitations: Unlike nuclear-powered rovers, InSight relied on solar panels, which eventually became covered in dust, leading to a decline in power and mission termination in December 2022.

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Final Images: The orbiter's images show InSight gradually blending into the Martian landscape, symbolizing the end of its mission and human ingenuity in space exploration.

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Legacy of Exploration: InSight joins other Martian explorers like the Phoenix lander and Opportunity rover, resting as silent witnesses to humanity's quest to understand Mars and the broader universe.

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Astrophysicist Warns of Increasingly Powerful Solar Storms: What to Expect

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