If you’re not following NASA InSight on Twitter, then I don’t know what to tell you. That thing is a delight.
It tweets in the first person like this:
I’m beaming! During my first full day here, I broke my first record by generating more electrical power than any previous robot on the surface of #Mars. I’m in a sandy area with few rocks, soaking up the Sun. 🌞
More about where I landed: https://t.co/pdZytmWh6Epic.twitter.com/8K9CVM61UG— NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) December 1, 2018
Which makes me feel like InSight isn’t a collection of nuts and bolts, but rather a harmless dog robot, roaming the desolate planes of Mars, doing science, furthering human knowledge and having the time of its life. Basically AIBO in space.
But here’s the interesting news so far: First off, the photos keep on coming, and (for me at least) they remain jaw dropping. A stark reminder that a human-made machine is currently on Mars, doing stuff. That sensation never gets old.
Steadily easing into my workflow. It’s been a busy few days and now, a new picture of Mars without the camera lens cover. Plus, a new view from my robotic arm camera. Read: https://t.co/5qCjNVZaRs
More #Mars pics: https://t.co/tjr8tfaCg5pic.twitter.com/CdWdyBrfGu
— NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) December 1, 2018
Secondly, InSight has already broken a world record. It’s already beaten its robot buddies in its ability to soak up energy from the sun. During its first full day on Mars, InSight generated more energy than any other vehicle on the surface of Mars, hitting 4,588 Watt-hours during. For comparison, Curiosity hit 2,806 Watt-hours and Opportunity hit 922.
“It is great to get our first ‘off-world record’ on our very first full day on Mars,” said InSight project manager Tom Hoffman. “But even better than the achievement of generating more electricity than any mission before us is what it represents for performing our upcoming engineering tasks. The 4,588 watt-hours we produced during sol 1 means we currently have more than enough juice to perform these tasks and move forward with our science mission.”
