LOS ANGELES - (Xinhua) -- NASA has decided to extend the science mission of its "Insight" space probe on Mars and operate its seismograph for a longer period than previously planned, according to a statement from the agency.

As the power available to InSight dwindled, the mission team adjusted the mission schedule in order to maximize the amount of operational research they could do.

NASA said Tuesday that the probe is expected to automatically shut down the seismometer -- InSight's last operational science instrument -- by the end of June in order to conserve energy, surviving on power that its solar panels can generate until about December.

And NASA indicated that the team now intends to program the probe so that the seismometer can work for a longer period, perhaps until the end of August or even early September.

NASA stated that Insight is now on an extended mission after achieving its science goals. The probe has detected more than 1,300 earthquakes since it landed on Mars in 2018, providing information that allowed scientists to measure the depth and composition of the Martian crust, mantle and core.

NASA said InSight, with its other instruments, recorded invaluable weather data, examined the soil under the rover, and studied remnants of Mars' ancient magnetic field.