Nasa's InSight to Mars undergoes final preparations at Vandenberg AFB, California, US. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch Nasa’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.

The mission has been designed to explore the Elysium Planitia region situated in Mars’ northern hemisphere.

During the launch on 5 May, ULA’s two-stage Atlas V 401 rocket will produce 860,200lb of thrust.

In the first 17 seconds of powered flight, the rocket will fly vertically above its launch pad and begin a pitch-and-yaw manoeuvre to place itself on a trajectory towards Earth’s south pole.

“The InSight is a stationary lander that aims to study the deep interior of Mars to learn how all rocky planets were formed, including the Earth and its moon.”

Approximately 93 minutes after liftoff, the spacecraft is expected to separate from the rocket’s Centaur stage.

Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory InSight mission project manager Tom Hoffman said: “If you live in Southern California and the weather is right, you’ll probably have a better view of the launch than I will.

“I’ll be stuck inside a control room looking at monitors, which is not the best way to enjoy an Atlas 5 on its way to Mars.”

The InSight is a stationary lander that aims to study the deep interior of Mars to learn how all rocky planets were formed, including the Earth and its moon.

It will be equipped with a seismometer to detect earthquakes on Mars and a probe to monitor the flow of heat in the planet’s subsurface.

Developed by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, US, InSight mission has been managed by Nasa’sJet Propulsion Laboratory on behalf of the Science Mission Directorate.