After a two-week communication pause, NASA is preparing to reconnect with the MAVEN Mars orbiter, which has been silent since December 6. This communication gap occurred during a solar conjunction, a time when the sun blocks signals between Earth and Mars. To prevent sending mixed-up commands that could cause problems, NASA halted communication with all Mars missions during this phase.
MAVEN lost contact after a routine maneuver behind Mars. Although telemetry received before the blackout indicated all systems were functioning well, data hinted that MAVEN might have been rotating unexpectedly upon its return to visibility. Since then, NASA has made several unsuccessful attempts to reestablish contact.
This situation worries NASA, especially given MAVEN’s critical role. Besides studying Mars’ atmosphere, MAVEN also serves as a communications relay for rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance. Without MAVEN, NASA is adapting its operations, relying more on other spacecraft for support.
NASA officials, including Louise Prockter, director of the planetary science division, expressed concern that recovery efforts could fail. In fact, MAVEN’s operational history has been marked by technical challenges, including a three-month period in safe mode last year due to issues with its orientation sensors.
Historically, MAVEN was launched in November 2013 with a mission initially planned for just one year. It has far exceeded expectations, significantly enhancing our understanding of Mars’ atmospheric loss and contributing valuable data on Martian weather phenomena. For instance, MAVEN’s findings helped explain why Mars, once a warm and wet planet, gradually turned cold and barren.
Despite its age, MAVEN remains functional enough to continue until at least 2030, with its mission already extended through 2025. However, if contact isn’t restored, it may impact other missions. For example, MAVEN was supposed to play a key role in the upcoming Mars Sample Return project, aimed at bringing Martian samples back to Earth.
Ultimately, MAVEN’s silence poses a challenge for NASA and the broader Mars scientific community, who are already facing potential setbacks with ongoing projects. As MAVEN holds a significant place in Mars exploration, its fate is of great importance.
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