The US space agency NASA's InSight mission touched down on Mars after travelling for seven months. Following the arrival, "Mars Odyssey orbiter" informed sent an official "beep" to NASA signalling InSight's landing. It also sent a selfie of the Martian surface where it landed. The indications of its safe landing were received with much applause at The Mission Control at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The space agency has released the first "selfie" taken by InSight on the ground, indicating that all systems are going well.

InSight's landing was watched around the world and even broadcast live on the Nasdaq Stock Market tower in New York City's Times Square. CNN quoted NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine as saying, "Today, we successfully landed on Mars for the eighth time in human history. InSight will study the interior of Mars and will teach us valuable science as we prepare to send astronauts to the Moon and later to Mars. This accomplishment represents the ingenuity of America and our international partners, and it serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team. The best of NASA is yet to come, and it is coming soon." NASA's Mars Probe 'InSight' Makes Touchdown on Red Planet's Surface.

Here is the selfie from the lander's arm showing the instruments in their new home:

InSight on its way!

Spacecraft spreading its solar wings on reaching Mars

NASA's website reads, "NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter relayed the signals, which were received on Earth at about 5:30 p.m. PST (8:30 p.m. EST). Solar array deployment ensures the spacecraft can recharge its batteries each day. Odyssey also relayed a pair of images showing InSight's landing site."

After the Curiosity rover in 2012, this unmanned spacecraft is NASA's first attempt to touch down on Mars. Various space agencies from around the world have tried to reach Mars with rovers, orbiters and probes, but failed. NASA is the only space agency to have made it calling for more celebration.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 27, 2018 11:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).