For nearly a month, NASA has been trying to reach the MAVEN spacecraft, which has lost communication while orbiting Mars. The probe went silent on December 6, and since then, mission controllers have struggled to re-establish contact. They suspect MAVEN might be spinning unexpectedly based on some data received that day.
NASA will have to wait until January 16 to attempt another connection. This delay is due to Mars and Earth being on opposite sides of the sun, which prevents communication during this period. Unfortunately, MAVEN’s situation doesn’t look good.
Launched in 2013, MAVEN has been a key player in exploring Mars. It studies the planet’s upper atmosphere, particularly how it has lost its air over billions of years. The spacecraft has also helped relay data from rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance on the Martian surface.
Before MAVEN lost signal, it was behind Mars, an expected occurrence. However, when it emerged from behind the planet, NASA couldn’t pick up any signals, which raises concerns. The agency has been analyzing the last bits of tracking data and is piecing together what might have gone wrong.
NASA used a network of large radio antennas to send signals to MAVEN. In a recent attempt, they even tried to capture images of the spacecraft from the Curiosity rover. This probe was initially planned for a two-year mission but has exceeded expectations, celebrating ten years in orbit in 2024.
MAVEN helps scientists understand Mars’s past climate, shedding light on how it went from a potentially habitable planet with water to the current cold, barren landscape.
NASA is working diligently to solve this mystery. Stay tuned, as updates are likely to follow, especially considering the relevance of MAVEN’s discoveries, which play a significant role in our understanding of planetary climates.
For further information about the MAVEN mission and its findings, check out NASA’s official website.
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