InSight to explore Martian surface
Getting the InSight to Mars was one thing, getting it to work on the Martian surface was another, because of any possible damage that could affect the fragile systems on board due to the friction caused on entry into the Martian atmosphere.
Temperatures in the atmosphere could reach up to a searing 1,500 degrees Celsius – that’s hotter than the temperature of lava – and scientists had to take not just this into consideration, but also ensure that the probe had a flat surface to land on: something as simple as a boulder in the way could knock the expensive contraption out of commission.
The InSight will operate out of the Elysium Planitia on Mars, and is powered by twin solar arrays, that are some seven feet wide. The panels provide 600 to 700 watts on a clear day, enough to power a household blender and plenty to keep its instruments conducting science on the Red Planet. Even when dust covers the panels—what is likely to be a common occurrence on Mars— they should be able to provide at least 200 to 300 watts.
The probe also includes a robotic arm, which measures some five feet, nine inches, complete with a grapple for grasping each piece of hardware the arm will lift. The grapple’s five mechanical fingers can close around a handle that resembles a ball on top of a stem. Each of the three items the arm will lift has one of these handles. The three are the seismic experiment for the interior structure, the heat flow and physical properties probe, and the seismometer’s wind and thermal shield.
Weighing in at 360kg, the probe is six metres long with solar panels deployed, and has a deck height of 33 to 43 inches, and its landing on Mars also prompted congratulations from the International Space Station (ISS).
“What an amazing day for our country,” exclaimed Bridenstine. “People all around the world have seen it. But it’s not just people all around the world that will see it, in fact, people off the world have seen it, and they have some things they’d like to say.”
“The InSight of Mars itself is a really important step on the way there for human exploration, so kudos for pulling that one off and we are looking forward to the data that comes out of this mission,” said Alexander Gerst, the current commander of the ISS, speaking directly from the space station.