After a long wait, NASA’s InSight lander has finally touched down on Mars and has already sent back a picture, and people across the world are applauding the historic and successful landing.
NASA’s anxiety was put to rest after its quake-detecting InSight lander successfully landed on the Red Planet after over a six-month-long journey. InSight, which is abbreviated as Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, adjusted itself and was quick to send back a picture of the planet.
I feel you, #Mars – and soon I’ll know your heart. With this safe landing, I’m here. I’m home.
#MarsLanding https://t.co/auhFdfiUMg— NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) November 26, 2018
My first picture on #Mars! My lens cover isn’t off yet, but I just had to show you a first look at my new home. More status updates:https://t.co/tYcLE3tkkS #MarsLanding pic.twitter.com/G15bJjMYxa
— NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) November 26, 2018
There’s a quiet beauty here. Looking forward to exploring my new home. #MarsLanding pic.twitter.com/mfClzsfJJr
— NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) November 27, 2018
The image captured moments after InSight’s land showed Mars’ rust-colored surface. However, the picture seems a bit obscured because the camera still has its dust-covered protective covering on it, as per NASA.
InSight lander is equipped with three instruments, a seismometer for studying Marsquakes (earthquakes on Mars), meteorite impacts and dust storms, a heat flow probe to calculate how much heat flows out of the planet’s interior, and a pair of antennas to track the wobble of Mars’ North Pole.
Moreover, people from across the world have been biting their nails while waiting for InSight’s touchdown. As soon as it did, everyone was quick to express their excitement for it.
Congratulation @NASA on nailing this (8th!!) #Marslanding - an epic milestone in space exploration! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/3och5UyPkR
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 26, 2018
Congratulations! What an amazing track record of success with Mars!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 26, 2018
Congratulations to @NASA on another successful landing on the Red Planet! https://t.co/45Pc4NdT35
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 26, 2018
Spoke to @NASA Administrator @JimBridenstine to congratulate him on the @NASAInsight #MarsLanding -truly a monumental achievement! Proud of our NASA Team! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/JM3n8zFxcv
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) November 26, 2018
@NASAInSight: meet @MarsCuriosity. pic.twitter.com/9RyGNNi6hE
— Matthew Inman (@Oatmeal) November 26, 2018
Touchdown confirmed!!!!! pic.twitter.com/sugPO8hkAm
— Bill Nye (@BillNye) November 26, 2018
Mars is hard, but we are smart and work together to do hard things. Congrats to @NASAJPL and all teams involved in sticking @NASAInSight #MarsLanding! https://t.co/l0p5sm12ne
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 26, 2018
— Matthew Inman (@Oatmeal) November 26, 2018