NASA’s InSight sends emotional last image to Earth: ‘Don’t worry about me’ [Photo]

IB TIMES

NASA’s InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) Lander is just about ready to end its mission on Mars, and it sent what could just be its last photo back to Earth.

The space agency has been preparing to say goodbye to InSight for a while now, as the lander’s power generation continues to diminish by the day. It appears InSight is also preparing to say its own farewell, with the rather poignant photo shared on its official Twitter account this week.

“My power’s really low, so this may be the last image I can send. Don’t worry about me though: my time here has been both productive and serene. If I can keep talking to my mission team, I will – but I’ll be signing off here soon. Thanks for staying with me,” the tweet reads.

If you felt emotional after that farewell, you’re not alone. Many replied to the tweet, expressing their sadness at its impending retirement. One user asked “Why am I crying over a robot?” while many shared gifs expressing tears. Many also thanked InSight for its service, while one even shared a short comic, calling it “the best.”

Space By Storm on X (formerly Twitter): “pic.twitter.com/WPFZWpyLL8 / X”

pic.twitter.com/WPFZWpyLL8

Earlier in the year, InSight also shared its final selfie before its arm gets permanently rested in a “retirement position.”

NASA InSight on X (formerly Twitter): “Before losing more solar energy, I took some time to take in my surroundings and snapped my final selfie before I rest my arm and camera permanently in the stowed position. More on my final months ahead: https://t.co/eATDXbOlx2 pic.twitter.com/q7gso8NSjv / X”

Before losing more solar energy, I took some time to take in my surroundings and snapped my final selfie before I rest my arm and camera permanently in the stowed position. More on my final months ahead: https://t.co/eATDXbOlx2 pic.twitter.com/q7gso8NSjv

Indeed, InSight has achieved much during its mission on the Red Planet. After it landed on Nov. 26, 2018, it achieved its primary mission and went on to go on an extended mission.