spacetoday.net: Mars InSight lander passes critical design review

Mars InSight lander passes critical design review

Posted: Wed, May 21, 2014, 8:58 AM ET (1258 GMT)
InSight lander illustration (NASA)

NASA's next Mars lander mission passed a key review last week, clearing the way for construction of the spacecraft to begin, NASA announced Monday. The InSight mission passed its critical design review on Friday, a milestone that allows the project to begin assembly of the spacecraft. Slated for launch in 2016, InSight will probe the Martian interior to understand the formation and evolution of the planet. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the mission, and the French and German space agencies are contributing instruments for the spacecraft.