InSight ends, a mission that has helped meet Mars

2022/12/28 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astrofisika
• Astronomia

After four years on the Martian surface, the InSight mission ends. During this time, the InSight module has collected data from hundreds of seismic movements and meteorite impacts (over 1300 in total). However, since December 15, 2022, NASA has not received any signal so it concludes that it has run out of battery and terminates the mission. However, the mission has lasted much longer than expected, in fact it was two years.

The data collected by InSight provides valuable information about the interior of Mars and the climate. For example, weather impacts have helped calculate the surface age of Mars and learn about the composition of the inner layers. Wind and temperature sensors detail the climate of Mars.

Over time, however, the dust from solar panels has been accumulating and the battery is slowly running out of power. However, your latest information has been truly spectacular: The study of the information collected by the InSight module and orbital probes has concluded that the Elysium Planitia, one of the largest plains on Mars, has a large area of volcanic activity. This volcanic field has been rated 4000 km in diameter and is currently active. Details have been published in the journal Nature.