The first images from NASA’s new Mars probe may have thrilled space nuts - but they underwhelmed most of us. Now the intergalactic visitor is serving up some serious planetary porn.

Now InSight’s camera has sent back some clearer pictures of the Red Planet, showing a much lighter Mars than you would have imagined.

TOUCHDOWN CONFIRMED

Flight controllers announced that the spacecraft InSight had reached the surface just before 7am AEDT, after a perilous supersonic descent through the red Martian skies.

Tweeting right after landing InSight offered the following eerie words from the alien world: “I feel you Mars … and soon I’ll know your heart. With this safe landing, I’m here. I’m home.”

InSight also shared the first picture from Mars on Twitter saying: “My lens cover isn’t off yet, but I just had to show you a first look at my new home.”

Flight controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, leapt out of their seats and erupted in screams, applause and laughter as the news came in.

“Touchdown confirmed!” a flight controller announced.

The photo also shows a dusty, rocky surface without any major craters in sight.

The new robotic resident sent signals to earth about 12.30pm AEST indicating its solar panels were open and it was collecting sunlight on the Martian surface.

The image was relayed from InSight to Earth via NASA’s Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting Mars.

It was NASA’s - indeed, humanity’s - eighth successful landing at Mars since the 1976 Viking probes, and the first in six years. NASA’s Curiosity rover, which arrived in 2012, is still on the move on Mars.

The three-legged InSight probe, catapulted thanks to a $US1 billion international venture, was designed to burrow beneath the surface of the red planet after the journey.

The spacecraft reached the surface after being slowed by a parachute, supported by braking engines because of Mars’ thin atmosphere.

Source: https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/space/nasas-insight-to-land-on-mars-after-sixmonth-journey/news-story/20e13c91d24dcc622f14d712f7eaee14

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