NASA’s next mission to Mars -- InSight -- is expected to land on the Red Planet Monday afternoon. InSight is a mission to Mars, but it is also more than a Mars mission. It will help scientists understand the formation and early evolution of all rocky planets, including Earth.
In addition to InSight, a technology demonstration called Mars Cube One (MarCO) is flying separately to the Red Planet. It will test a new kind of data relay from another planet for the first time, though InSight’s success is not dependent on MarCO.
NASA has more information about the landing here.
Image Courtesy NASA