technology

Mars mission underway

5th May 2018

NASA’S InSight spacecraft launched earlier today from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base on its six-month journey to Mars.

After completing the 300-million-mile trip, InSight will use its tech and science instruments to give Mars a ‘thorough checkup’.

I'm headed to #Mars with an amazing suite of science instruments that will give the Red Planet a thorough checkup! Get the scoop on my journey: https://t.co/G04gF3dp7E pic.twitter.com/CcsYijJXcm

— NASA InSight (@NASAInSight) May 5, 2018

Scheduled to arrive late November, the mission to learn more about how the planet has evolved will last until November 2020.

“InSight connects science and technology,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “InSight will not only teach us about Mars, it will enhance our understanding of formation of other rocky worlds like Earth and the Moon, and thousands of planets around other stars.”

Check out these amazing pictures captured today of the early part of Insight’s journey.

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The most surreal moment!! InSight and Atlas V Launch from 5000ft!!! Currently sharing this from the plane!!! Ahhhh!!! @pewpewpandabear @max_fagin @nathanheidt #InSight #AtlasV #NASA #Mars #lander #VandenbergAFB #liftoff #perfecttiming #NASAInSight #launch #rocket #jpl #space #spaceexploration

A post shared by Leslie Radosevich (@leslie_radcat) on May 5, 2018 at 4:27am PDT