Nasa’s Mars Interior Exploration (InSight) mission is the first interplanetary launch from the west coast of the US. Credit: Nasa.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has launched Nasa’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission into space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.

The mission was launched on-board a ULA Atlas V rocket with an aim to study both the exterior and interior of Mars.

Around 93 minutes after the launch, InSight was separated from the rocket’s Centaur second stage for a six-month journey to the red planet.

During the mission’s cruise phase, the spacecraft’s subsystems and science instruments will be checked to ensure the proper orientation of its solar arrays and antenna. This phase will also focus on tracking the spacecraft’s trajectory and performing manoeuvres to keep it on course.

“During its stay on the planet, the InSight lander will probe and gather data on earthquakes, heat flow from its interior, and its movements.”

Expected to land on Mars on 26 November, InSight will carry out its science operations until 26 November 2020. This is equivalent to one year and 40 days on Mars.

During its stay on the planet, the InSight lander will probe and gather data on earthquakes, heat flow from its interior, and its movements.

Collected data are expected to help scientists understand what affects the planet’s environment and the processes that created the four rocky planets of the inner solar system.

Nasa Washington Science Mission Directorate associate administrator Thomas Zurbuchen said: “InSight will not only teach us about Mars, it will enhance our understanding of formation of other rocky worlds like Earth and the Moon, and thousands of planets around other stars.

“InSight connects science and technology with a diverse team of JPL-led international and commercial partners.”

Development of the InSight mission was supported by various European partners, including France’s Centre National d’Études Spatiales and German Aerospace Center.

In addition, the mission saw the launch of Nasa’s first pair of CubeSats developed to explore the deepspace.

Briefcase-sized spacecraft named Mars Cube One (MarCO) were launched with InSight to follow the lander on its cruise to Mars and test miniature spacecraft technology along the way.