Skip Navigation
menu

Images

MarCO and Dispenser

One of the MarCO CubeSats inside a cleanroom at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, before being placed into its deployment box.

April 19, 2018

One of the MarCO CubeSats inside a cleanroom at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, before being placed into its deployment box. The deployment box will eject the briefcase-sized CubeSat into space after launch. It and its twin will accompany the InSight Mars lander when it lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in May.

Credits

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Tyvak/Cal Poly SLO.

ENLARGE

Related

The solar arrays on NASA's InSight lander are deployed in this test inside a clean room at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver.
More
The solar arrays on NASA's InSight lander are deployed in this test inside a clean room at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver.
InSight Lander in Mars-Surface Configuration
In a Mars-like environment at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the fish-eye instrument context camera aboard NASA's InSight lander snapped this image of the actor Brad Pitt on Sept. 6, 2019. Pitt ...
More
In a Mars-like environment at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the fish-eye instrument context camera aboard NASA's InSight lander snapped this image of the actor Brad Pitt on Sept. 6, 2019. Pitt visited JPL to learn about real space technology after filming his space-themed movie "Ad Astra."
A Hollywood Star in InSight's Mars 'Sandbox'
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carrying NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy an...
More
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carrying NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, or InSight, Mars lander. Liftoff was at 4:05 a.m. PDT (7:05 a.m. EDT).
InSight Lifts Off 2
The Earth "rings" whenever earthquakes strike, just as vibrations moving through a bell creates a ringing sound. The InSight mission will see if tremors cause Mars to chime in with its own planetar...
More
The Earth "rings" whenever earthquakes strike, just as vibrations moving through a bell creates a ringing sound. The InSight mission will see if tremors cause Mars to chime in with its own planetary song.
Music of the Spheres
NASA's next mission to Mars, the InSight lander, will study the deep interior of Mars to advance understanding of the early history of all rocky planets, including Earth.
More
NASA's next mission to Mars, the InSight lander, will study the deep interior of Mars to advance understanding of the early history of all rocky planets, including Earth.
Your Name Could Go to Mars Aboard NASA's InSight Lander
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 11,300 miles (18,200 kilometers) away shortly before NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on ...
More
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 11,300 miles (18,200 kilometers) away shortly before NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018.
Mars, Before InSight's Landing
Mythbuster Adam Savage and Engineer Adam Steltzner at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Nov. 26, 2018, for the landing of InSight on Mars.
More
Mythbuster Adam Savage and Engineer Adam Steltzner at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Nov. 26, 2018, for the landing of InSight on Mars.
Employees and Visitors at JPL before InSight Landing
This artist's impression shows InSight traveling to Mars.
More
This artist's impression shows InSight traveling to Mars.
Artist's Concept of InSight Traveling to Mars
Two miniature satellites will be hitching a ride to the Red Planet to get a front row seat for InSight 's landing on Mars.
More
MarCO: First Interplanetary CubeSat Mission
MarCO: First Interplanetary CubeSat Mission
Engineer Marleen Sundgaard watches as the robotic arm on a test version of NASA's Mars InSight lander grasps a model of the spacecraft's seismometer. This work was done at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab...
More
Engineer Marleen Sundgaard watches as the robotic arm on a test version of NASA's Mars InSight lander grasps a model of the spacecraft's seismometer. This work was done at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
Inspecting Instrument Deployment
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov....
More
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018.
Away from Mars, With Sunburst
This illustration shows NASA's InSight spacecraft with its instruments deployed on the Martian surface.
More
illustration of NASA's InSight on Mars
InSight on Mars (Illustration)
This image shows the trail of NASA’s Mars InSight lander over the Los Angeles area after launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Central California on May 5, 2018. This is a stack of exposures ...
More
This image shows the trail of NASA’s Mars InSight lander over the Los Angeles area after launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Central California on May 5, 2018. This is a stack of exposures taken from Mt. Wilson.
InSight on Its Way to Mars
A C-17 cargo aircraft carrying NASA's InSight spacecraft flew from Buckley Air Force Base, Denver, to Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on February 28, 2018. The spacecraft was being shipped f...
More
military transport aircraft in flight
C-17 Shipping InSight Mars Spacecraft to Vandenberg Air Force Base
Seasons change even on Mars and NASA's fleet of explorers are helping scientists learn more about the effects on the Red Planet.
More
Seasons change even on Mars and NASA's fleet of explorers are helping scientists learn more about the effects on the Red Planet.
Mars Report: How's the Weather on Mars?
InSight project manager Tom Hoffman and principal investigator Bruce Banerdt pose with their "boarding passes" in 2015, showing that they're both sending their names to Mars.
More
InSight project manager Tom Hoffman and principal investigator Bruce Banerdt pose with their "boarding passes" in 2015, showing that they're both sending their names to Mars.
Bunny Suits
On June 28, 2019, NASA's InSight lander used its robotic arm to move the support structure for its digging instrument, informally called the "mole." This view was captured by the Instrument Deploym...
More
On June 28, 2019, NASA's InSight lander used its robotic arm to move the support structure for its digging instrument, informally called the "mole." This view was captured by the Instrument Deployment Camera on the spacecraft's robotic arm.
Arm Camera: InSight Lifts the Mole's Support Structure
These craters were formed by a Sept. 5, 2021, meteoroid impact on Mars, the first to be detected by NASA’s InSight. Taken by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, this enhanced-color image highlights...
More
These craters were formed by a Sept. 5, 2021, meteoroid impact on Mars, the first to be detected by NASA’s InSight.
InSight Detects an Impact for the First Time
NASA-JPL InSight systems engineer Julie Wertz helps land spacecraft on the Red Planet. This includes entering the atmosphere, deploying a parachute and safely touching down. This process, called en...
More
Inside InSight: Engineer Helps Land a Spacecraft on Mars
Inside InSight: Engineer Helps Land a Spacecraft on Mars
This is an illustration showing a simulated view of NASA's InSight lander about to land on the surface of Mars. This view shows the underside of the spacecraft.
More
This is an illustration showing a simulated view of NASA's InSight lander about to land on the surface of Mars. This view shows the underside of the spacecraft.
InSight Moments Away From Landing, Underside View (Illustration)
Artist's concept of the Atlas V-401 rocket.
More
Artist's concept of the Atlas V-401 rocket.
Atlas V-401 Rocket
This is NASA InSight's first selfie on Mars. It displays the lander's solar panels and deck. On top of the deck are its science instruments, weather sensor booms and UHF antenna.
More
This is NASA InSight's first selfie on Mars. It displays the lander's solar panels and deck. On top of the deck are its science instruments, weather sensor booms and UHF antenna.
InSight's First Selfie
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov....
More
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 10,900 miles (17,500 kilometers) away just after NASA’s InSight spacecraft landed on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018.
Away from Mars, With Reflection
InSight's heat probe, called the Heat and Physical Properties Package (HP3).
More
InSight's heat probe, called the Heat and Physical Properties Package (HP3).
HP3 Being Tested in Germany
A truck carrying NASA's InSight spacecraft leaves Lockheed Martin Space, Denver, where the spacecraft was built and tested, on February 28, 2018. InSight was driven to Buckley Air Force Base, where...
More
truck on road
Shipping InSight Mars Spacecraft to Buckley Air Force Base

You Might Also Like

The agency is asking the NASA community to work together to develop a revised plan that leverages innovation and proven technology.
More
NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs
NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs
NASA has proven powered, controlled flight is possible on other worlds, just as the Wright brothers proved it was possible on Earth.
More
After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
The agency established the board in May 2023 to evaluate the technical, cost, and schedule plans prior to confirmation of the mission’s design.
More
NASA Releases Independent Review's Mars Sample Return Report
NASA Releases Independent Review's Mars Sample Return Report
A pair of quakes in 2021 sent seismic waves deep into the Red Planet’s core, giving scientists the best data yet on its size and composition.
More
NASA InSight Study Provides Clearest Look Ever at Martian Core
NASA InSight Study Provides Clearest Look Ever at Martian Core
Ten sample tubes, capturing an amazing variety of Martian geology, have been deposited on Mars’ surface so they could be studied on Earth in the future.
More
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
Filled with rock, the sample tube will be one of 10 forming a depot of tubes that could be considered for a journey to Earth by the Mars Sample Return campaign.
More
NASA's Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface
NASA's Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface