Mars InSight Lander

Mission Ended

Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport. First mission to study Mars' deep interior.

Mission Conclusion

The mission ended after gradually losing power due to dust accumulation on its solar panels. NASA declared the mission over on December 21, 2022, after two consecutive failed communication attempts.

Type

Mars Lander

Launch Date

05/05/2018

Landing Date

11/26/2018

End Date

12/15/2022

Location

Elysium Planitia, Mars

Mission Status

Current Status

Extended Mission - Data Collection Mode

Mission Progress

Spacecraft is in extended mission phase, continuing to collect valuable scientific data beyond its primary mission objectives.

Mission Images from Elysium Planitia

Last Recorded Weather Data

Sol 1410 • 12/15/2022

Temperature

-60°C

Min: -101°C / Max: -20°C

Pressure

734 Pa

0.72% of Earth

Wind Speed

4.3 m/s

Max: 9.8 m/s

Season: Northern Winter

Mission Achievements

✓Detected over 1,300 marsquakes, revealing Mars is seismically active
✓Measured the size of Mars' core (radius: ~1,830 km)
✓Discovered Mars' crust is thinner than expected (20-37 km)
✓Recorded the largest marsquake ever detected (magnitude 5)
✓Provided daily weather reports for 1,410 sols (Mars days)
✓Proved Mars has a liquid outer core

Mission Objectives

▸Study Mars' interior structure and composition
▸Measure seismic activity (marsquakes)
▸Monitor weather and climate patterns
▸Determine heat flow from Mars' interior

Scientific Instruments

•SEIS: Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure
•HP³: Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (mole)
•RISE: Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment
•APSS: Auxiliary Payload Sensor Suite (weather station)
•IDC: Instrument Deployment Camera
•ICC: Instrument Context Camera