The Mars lander Insight has fallen silent after four years

After long-term problems with the solar panels, the Mars lander Insight has now stopped sending signals home to Earth.

“It can be assumed that Insight’s mission is thus completed,” Nasa announces.

The craft’s power supply has fluctuated for several months as a result of drifts of red dust settling on the solar panels.

Now there are no signs of life at all. The American space agency Nasa writes on its website that Insight no longer answers calls since Sunday. The last contact was on December 15.

“Mission management will continue to try to contact Insight,” Nasa writes.

Insight landed on Mars over four years ago, in November 2018. Among other things, it has studied the weather, drilled into the surface to measure heat flows and recorded over 1,300 earthquakes, including meteorite impacts. The findings have provided new knowledge about the planet’s interior and history.

As recently as last week, it was revealed that the lander managed to photograph and capture the sound of a sand vortex. It happened in 2021 when the vortex accidentally dusted past Insight.

It has long been obvious that Insight has seen its best days. Nasa has previously partially succeeded in dusting off the solar panels with the vehicle’s robotic arm. The wind has also done its part. But now that the energy depots appear to be depleted, the end seems to be here.

A presumed final self-portrait and greeting was posted on Insight’s Twitter account on Monday:

“Don’t worry about me: my time here has been both productive and peaceful. If it works, I will continue to speak with mission management — but soon I will log out. Thank you for being with me.”

Nasa still has the Curiosity and Perseverance vehicles in good condition on the red planet.