In Lockheed Martin started the final assembly of the landing module for Mars InSight

This is how the lander assembly takes place ( link to the photo with the maximum resolution )

As you know, most of the work on NASA projects is performed by contractors. In the case of the Mars InSight project, Lockheed Martin is such a contractor. So, the other day, company representatives reported that the engineers had begun the final assembly of the landing module for the Mars InSight mission (Interior Exploration Using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport).

The new unit will be launched in early 2016, and after landing on the surface of Mars, the deep drilling phase of the Red Planet will begin. Of course, these are not ultra-deep wells, but the drilling of the soil of another planet to a depth of 4.5 meters will be carried out for the first time.
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As for the landing module itself, it should be assembled within a few months, after which the tests of the apparatus will begin. It should be noted that the Mars InSight spacecraft will not move on the surface of Mars. His task is to conduct research in one place. Developers expect a lifetime of 720 days. The basis of the device was the design of the previous apparatus, Phoenix lander , but the electronic components are similar to those placed on the Mars orbital satellite MAVEN.

After the well has been drilled, scientific instruments (including a thermal energy detector) will be placed in it. As scientists hope, drilling with well analysis will help clarify the history of the emergence of "stone" planets like Earth and Mars.

Engineers at Lockheed Martin will also conduct the final assembly of the upper rocket stage, which will be used to deliver the station to Mars. After assembly, experts will test this stage as well as a protective casing designed to protect the entire system after its entry into the atmosphere of Mars.