Categories: Current AffairsScience and Technology

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Spacecraft Orbiting Mars for Over a Decade

NASA has reported the loss of communication with MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), a spacecraft that has been orbiting Mars for more than 10 years. The unexpected silence occurred over the weekend when the spacecraft went behind Mars and failed to reconnect with Earth-based ground stations upon re-emerging.

What Happened to MAVEN?

NASA confirmed that MAVEN was functioning normally before it passed behind Mars. However, when the spacecraft came back into view, it did not re-establish contact, sparking concern among mission engineers.

Current Status

MAVEN is unresponsive
NASA has launched engineering investigations
Communication attempts are ongoing
No signs of damage or malfunction have yet been confirmed

About the MAVEN Mission

Launched in 2013 and entering Mars orbit in 2014, MAVEN’s mission has been crucial in understanding the Martian atmosphere and how the planet transformed from a warm, water-rich world to its current dry, cold state.

Key Mission Objectives

Study the upper atmosphere of Mars
Examine interactions with the solar wind
Determine how Mars lost most of its atmosphere

Scientists widely credit MAVEN’s observations for confirming that the Sun stripped away Mars’ atmosphere over billions of years.

Role as a Communications Relay

Beyond scientific research, MAVEN has been essential for supporting Mars surface missions.

Relay Support for:

Curiosity Rover
Perseverance Rover

It helped transmit data from rovers back to Earth, functioning as a high-altitude data pipeline. Losing MAVEN places additional pressure on NASA’s aging Mars satellite fleet.

Other NASA Spacecraft Still Operating Around Mars

Despite MAVEN’s silence, NASA still maintains a presence in Mars orbit:

Spacecraft	Launched	Status
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter	2005	Active
Mars Odyssey	2001	Active

These two spacecraft are among NASA’s oldest functioning interplanetary assets and continue to support Mars exploration and robotic operations.

What Happens Next?

NASA teams are analyzing MAVEN’s last signals and attempting recovery procedures. Potential scenarios include:

A safe-mode transition
Antenna orientation failure
Power system issues
Software or communication subsystem malfunction

As of now, the cause is unknown, and MAVEN’s condition remains uncertain.

Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, I am responsible for researching and producing engaging, informative content designed to assist candidates in preparing for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in crafting insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest trends and developments in current affairs. With a strong emphasis on educational excellence, my goal is to equip readers with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their exams. Through well-researched and thoughtfully written content, I strive to guide and support candidates on their journey to success.