JPL/NASA: InSight- JPL and Nasa have been working to design a new probe that will be sent to mars to collect information. Named "InSight", this new probe will monitor seismic activity from across the Martian landscape and will provide new information into the workings of the planet. Unlike previous rovers, Insight will be stationary, but able to capture all that it needs by remaining in one place. The probe also features many new features including a sensor that once in the ground can pick up seismic waves across the planet.
- There were many challenges in designing the probe. Although it did not need to move, the probe featured many extremely sensitive sensors that needed to be carefully transported. JPL had to make sure that they survived not only the journey through space, but also the final entry into the Martian atmosphere. The team also needed to design a "self-nailing probe" which had never been done before. This presented a problem as the martian soil is corrosive to most materials.
-This information will provide valuable insight into the inner workings of Mars. This wil aid in helping future missions to study the planet and will enhance our overall understanding. This research will also be very useful in helping to establish a future colony on mars as quakes and other seismic activity will be very detrimental. Hopefully this research will yield results that can be used to mitigate any negative affects of the Martian planet.
-Our JPL project, while infinity less complex than the insight probe, relatable problems on a smaller scale. For example, one issue that we face is trying to make sure the pipe lands at rest without falling, over, so getting rid of vibrations is important. This is similar to how the NASA engineers had to figure out how to safely transport the sensors on the probe. In addition, the material choice is important in both scenarios.
-https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7266