The MRO orbiter has found a disabled InSight lander among the Martian dust.
With the help of NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), a dead robot was seen on the surface of the Red Planet,writes Mashable.
The main goal of the MRO mission is to observe the surface of Mars in search of evidence of the presence of water in the planet’s past. The satellite also monitors how the Red Planet changes over time.
But this time, the satellite managed to photograph the dead InSight lander and its landing pad, which are slowly being covered with Martian dust.
“Can you see InSight? The decommissioned lander was recently discovered by the orbiter. By studying InSight’s landing site over time, scientists can see how quickly dust accumulates, providing a starting point for estimating the age of other surface changes,” NASA said in a statement.
NASA’s InSight mission ended in December 2022, after four years of studying geological activity on Mars. During its research, the robot recorded more than 1,300 Martian tremors, including the strongest one for the entire period of the rover’s operation. These data proved that Mars is not actually dead in the geological sense.
The spacecraft also managed to analyze the planet’s core and transmit daily weather reports on Mars.
Unlike the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers, which are powered by nuclear engines, the InSight lander relied on solar energy. In turn, the Martian dust that covered the solar panels of the vehicle reduced the power of InSight. Eventually, the device’s batteries were completely discharged.
The spacecraft itself can be seen in the center of the image taken by a NASA satellite. If you look closely at the picture, you can also see two deployed round solar panels. They are located on the sides of the main body of the device.
Can you spot @NASAInSight?
The retired lander was recently spotted by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. By studying InSight’s landing site over time, scientists can see how quickly dust accumulates, which helps estimate the age of other surface disturbances. pic.twitter.com/ZsazACkZSs
— NASA Mars (@NASAMars) May 6, 2024
InSight is far from the only spacecraft resting on the Red Planet. He is accompanied by the Phoenix lander, the Opportunity rover, and the Ingenuity Mars helicopter. Spent landing gear and parachutes can also be found on the surface of Mars.
For now, the InSight spacecraft continues to gather dust on the flat equatorial plains in a region called the Elysian Plain.
