NASA reports loss of signal from MAVEN Mars orbiter

NASA is working to restore communications with its MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) spacecraft after losing contact with the orbiter on December 6 as it passed behind Mars. Prior to the outage, telemetry indicated that all systems on board were functioning normally. However, when MAVEN reappeared from behind the planet, NASA’s Deep Space Network was unable to re-establish a signal.
Mission teams are now analysing the anomaly to determine the cause and pursue options to recover communication. NASA said updates will be released once more information becomes available.
Launched in November 2013 and arriving at Mars in September 2014, MAVEN’s primary mission is to study the planet’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere and the effects of the Sun and solar wind. Its findings help scientists better understand how Mars lost much of its atmosphere over time, insights that are key to reconstructing the planet’s climate history, assessing the presence of ancient liquid water and evaluating past habitability.
In addition to its science objectives, MAVEN plays a crucial operational role, serving as a communications relay for surface missions such as Mars rovers. The spacecraft marked its 10th year in Martian orbit in 2024, underscoring its importance to NASA’s ongoing exploration of the Red Planet.