After four years on Mars, NASA has announced the end of its InSight landers mission.
The declaration came on Wednesday, December 21, after NASA failed to make contact with the lander across two consecutive attempts.
There was a build-up of dust on its solar panels that was causing it to lose power.
The final image was posted by NASA. Some of the robot's science instruments were protected by the landers wind and thermal shield.
The final message was sent by JPL.
During its time on the surface of Mars, the landers uncovered information about the interior layers, the liquid core, and the weather. The first detection of seismic activity on another planet, and a marsquake caused by a meteorite, were some of the things it achieved. On NASA's website, you can find the details of the mission's accomplishments.
Sharing thoughts on what has been deemed a very successful operation, Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said "I watched the launch and landing of this mission, and while saying goodbye to a spacecraft is always sad." The data from the Discovery Program mission offers a lot of insight into other rocky bodies.
It's hard to say goodbye because we've thought of InSight as our friend and colleague on Mars. It has been well deserved.
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