On board the 57.3-metre-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will be Nasa’s interior exploration using seismic investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) lander, destined for the Elysium Planitia region located in Mars’ northern hemisphere. InSight lander will study the deep interior of Mars to learn how all rocky planets formed, including Earth and its Moon. In clear skies, the InSight launch should be viewable up and down a wide swath of the California coast. The United Launch Alliance two-stage Atlas V 401 launch vehicle will produce 3.8 million Newtons of thrust as it climbs away from its launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base. During the first 17 seconds of powered flight, the Atlas V will climb vertically above its launch pad.

Source: Mint April 10, 2018 06:22 UTC