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NASA Loses Contact With MAVEN Mars Orbiter
NASA has confirmed that it lost contact with its MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars for more than a decade. The communication drop occurred on December 6, after the spacecraft passed behind the planet during its normal orbit. When MAVEN was expected to re-establish contact after emerging from Mars’ far side, mission controllers did not receive any signal.
Engineers Begin Recovery Efforts
NASA said that telemetry received before the signal loss showed the spacecraft was functioning normally. Mission teams are now analysing the situation and attempting to restore communication. The agency has not yet identified the cause of the disruption and said updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
MAVEN’s Scientific Contribution
Launched in 2013, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission entered Martian orbit in 2014. MAVEN has played a key role in studying the planet’s upper atmosphere and its interaction with solar radiation, helping scientists understand how Mars lost much of its atmosphere over time. The spacecraft has also served as an important communication relay for Mars rovers, supporting data transmission back to Earth.
Other Mars Missions Continue
NASA said that other orbiters around Mars remain operational, including Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey. These spacecraft continue to support scientific observations and relay communications for surface missions, ensuring that Mars exploration efforts remain active despite the MAVEN issue.
