Percussive Maintenance<\/p>\n
NASAs InSightlander, which is currently on the surface of Mars, has faced some unexpected problems during its mission to explore and study the planet.<\/p>\n
Namely, a digging probe that was built to burrow beneath the surface like a jackhammer got stuck because Mars soil is clumpier than scientists expected,PopularScience reports.<\/p>\n
After a few failed attempts to get it out, NASA had to get a bit creative. Ultimately, it freed the probe up by giving it a solid thwack with InSights shovel.<\/p>\n
NASA expected its probe, dubbed the mole, to dig its way through sand-like terrain. But because the Martian soil clumped together, the whole apparatus got stuck in place.<\/p>\n
Programming InSights robotic arm to land down on the mole was a risky, last-resort maneuver, PopSci reports, because it risked damaging fragile power and communication lines that attached nearby. Thankfully, engineers spent a few months practicing in simulations before they made a real attempt.<\/p>\n
With tentative results that the mole is working again, NASA hopes to again task it with burrowing beneath the surface of Mars.<\/p>\n
Once its down there, it will hopefully be able to complete its research mission: analyzing temperature fluctuations inside the Red Planet in an attempt to understand how similar Mars core is to that of Earth.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: At long last, NASAs probe finally digs in on Mars [Popular Science]<\/p>\n
More on InSight: NASA Isnt Sure Whats Wrong With Its InSight Mars Lander<\/p>\n
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Read more: Percussive Maintenance NASAs InSightlander, which is currently on the surface of Mars, has faced some unexpected problems during its mission to explore and study the planet. Namely, a digging probe that was built to burrow beneath the surface like a jackhammer got stuck because Mars soil is clumpier than scientists expected,PopularScience reports Continue reading
\nNASA Fixes Mars Lander By Telling It to Hit Itself With a Shovel - Futurism<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"