NASA to launch new Mars mission in California

NASA's Insight mission to Mars will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on May 5. The launch will be visible to 10 million Californians. The Lander, protected by an aeroshell, will travel for six months to Mars. Upon reaching the atmosphere, it will descend for six minutes, shedding its heat shield and deploying a parachute. Once landed, the Insight Lander will remain stationary to probe the Martian surface and analyze soil samples.

Where will NASA launch the InSight mission to Mars?

• Kennedy Space Center

• Edwards Air Force Base

• Vandenberg Air Force Base

• Cape Canaveral

Approximately how many Californians will be able to see the launch?

• 20 million

• 10 million

• 15 million

• 5 million

How long will the InSight lander travel before reaching Mars?

• Six months

• Nine months

• Three months

• One year

What will the InSight lander do as it descends towards Mars?

• Deploy solar panels

• Activate its cameras

• Discard its heat shield and deploy a parachute

• Start drilling into the surface

What is the primary purpose of the InSight lander once it reaches Mars?

• To remain stationary and probe the Martian surface

• To capture images of Martian moons

• To search for water on Mars

• To explore the Martian atmosphere