InSight made its last contact with Earth on December 15th. NASA said that while there isn’t much hope for further communications, they are still watching to see if they can capture the signal from the Mars probe, MTI said.
The space agency already indicated in May that the probe will finish the scientific phase of its operation in the summer, because its solar cells are producing less and less electricity due to the dust, and its seismometer will only be able to record Martian earthquakes until July. They were also informed in advance that the mission would be formally concluded at the end of the year.
“I’ve watched the launch and arrival of the mission, and while saying goodbye to a spacecraft is always sad, the incredible research InSight is conducting is cause for celebration,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, deputy director of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. in Washington. As he added: the seismic data received by the probe provide a lot of information not only about Mars, but also about other rocky celestial bodies, including the Earth.
