back to article Silent NASA lander gives boffins insight into Martian dust

Two years after NASA retired the InSight lander, scientists are continuing to use the vehicle to learn more about Mars. InSight was retired in 2022 after it stopped communicating with Earth. The silence started during the lander's extended mission and was expected. Dust had been building up on the lander's solar arrays, …

  1. bombastic bob Silver badge
    Joke

    NASA sends robot "red light squeegee guy" to Mars to wash Mars lander solar panels

    As described in a (potential) "Babylon Bee" article

    (are there Squeegee guys in UK?)

    1. Bebu sa Ware
      Coat

      Re: NASA sends robot "red light squeegee guy" to Mars to wash Mars lander solar panels

      are there Squeegee guys in UK?

      There were/are such chaps in AU. I vividly recall stopping in a rental at the lights at City Rd/Broadway intersection Sydney where a squeegee bod offered to clean the window for a buck (AUD1.00.) Told him the car is not mine, not to bother but he "cleaned" it anyway which unfortunately didn't leave the windscreen any less grubby.

    2. This post has been deleted by its author

      1. Neil Barnes Silver badge

        Re: are there Squeegee guys in UK?

        Years ago, I heard a response from the car next to me to a 'flowers for the lady, sir?' guy:

        "I don't need flowers mate, I'm in a f*ing Ferrari!"

  2. Jou (Mxyzptlk) Silver badge

    Every mission that manages to land and send SOME data is a success

    Actually landing on Mars and sending "Yes, I have landed the way I wanted to" is a success in itself.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    They should consider to get a contract with the Martians to clean off the dust.

  4. This post has been deleted by its author

    1. Neil Barnes Silver badge
      Alien

      Re: That Dust Devil...

      There's an obvious marketing opportunity there for Swiffer...

      p.s. pictures? No pictures?

      1. Homo.Sapien.Floridanus

        Re: That Dust Devil...

        Having rover problems on the red planet due to that pesky red dust buildup? Introducing the Mars Swiffer! only $19.95*

        * plus $5m s&h. allow 3-5 year for delivery.

      2. This post has been deleted by its author

  5. Michael H.F. Wilkinson Silver badge
    Thumb Up

    I just love the way these scientists keep finding creative ways to squeeze every last drop of information from these missions.

    Hats off (grey Tilley today) to the team(s) involved

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