What might be the InSight lander's last image of Mars has been returned to Earth. NASA reported earlier this year that since landing on Mars in late 2018, InSight's dual solar panels, each measuring about seven feet wide, have been gradually gathering dust.
NASA's InSight lander, which was launched onto Mars a little more than four years ago, is finally getting close to ceasing operations.
Since 2018, the lander has given us important new understanding of Mars' interior structure and geological processes.
The team even used the lander's robotic arm to help clear dust from the solar panels and extend the mission, but things looked bleak because seasonal changes increased the amount of dust in the air and blocked sunlight.
Sadly, NASA was hoping for a dust-clearing phenomenon, like a passing whirlwind, but it never happened.
The InSight lander's Twitter account tweeted on December 20: "My power's really low, so this may be the last image I can send. Don't worry about me, though; I have had a productive and peaceful stay here. I will keep talking to my mission team if I can, but I will soon be saying goodbye here. I appreciate you sticking around.
Even though it was sent by an emotionless machine, this moving tweet is evoking strong feelings among online users. This final tweet has already received over 6.4 lakh likes.
People are expressing emotions in the comments, such as the grief one would feel at a loved one's farewell.
It's also interesting to note that the InSight lander hinted in previous tweets that its operations might end soon because the solar panels that were supplying it with power were covered in dust, making it difficult for them to produce power.
One Twitter user explained why so many people were upset about a Mars lander by writing, "Even if it's only a robot, it's an honorary member of humanity. I contend that it represents humanity as a whole. Us, sending our tiny creations into space in an effort to feel more connected to the chaotic and stunning universe that we are still learning so little about. You can relax, my friend.
InSight changed our understanding of the interiors of rocky planets and prepared the way for future missions, according to Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division, in a statement made in May.
The initial $675 million NASA budget for InSight was increased by $153.8 million due to an instrument design and a two-year delay. InSight ended up costing $828.8 million in total.
There is still much to keep NASA busy. While the James Webb Space Telescope is just beginning to study the faraway cosmos, the Perseverance rover is still hard at work on the Martian surface.
"I can't handle any more of these; please do not give these sweet little robots personalities anymore," another person wrote in response to the tweet. Additionally, it was noted that NASA successfully used social media to humanise the machine by using a first-person voice to update the public on the lander's progress. This helped people develop a connection with the device.
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