NASA has lost contact with MAVEN, a spacecraft that has been studying Mars since 2014. On December 6, 2025, MAVEN lost signal with Earth while orbiting the planet. When it passed behind Mars, ground control was unable to reconnect.
By December 9, NASA announced that it is investigating the issue and trying to reestablish contact. Prior to losing signal, all systems were functioning normally.
MAVEN is part of a group of seven orbiters currently exploring Mars. Launched in 2013, it arrived in Mars orbit in September 2014. Its main job is to study the upper atmosphere of Mars and how it interacts with solar wind. This research helps scientists understand how Mars transformed from a wetter environment to a cold, dry landscape.
MAVEN’s findings have revealed crucial information about atmospheric loss on Mars. For instance, it has shown how water can escape into space, especially during dust storms, aided by solar winds. These studies play a key role in figuring out why Earth and Mars, despite their similarities, have become so different over time.
The data MAVEN collects is vital for future missions to Mars. It not only maps Martian winds but also identifies magnetic fields and has discovered phenomena like proton auroras.
MAVEN also serves as a relay for communication between NASA’s surface rovers, Curiosity and Perseverance, and Earth. This makes it an essential tool for ongoing explorations of Mars.
NASA’s operations teams are actively looking into the communication issue with MAVEN. They aim to learn more about the situation and apply any insights to prevent future mishaps in space missions.
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