NASA loses contact with MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars

NASA has lost contact with its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft. The last signal was received on 6 December 2023, just before the probe passed behind the Red Planet from Earth’s perspective. The mission, which has studied Mars’ upper atmosphere since 2014, also plays a vital role in relaying data from rovers on the surface. MAVEN launched in November 2013 and entered Mars’ orbit in September 2024. Its primary task has been to examine how the planet’s thin atmosphere interacts with solar wind. Over the years, it has also acted as a communications bridge, using its UHF antenna to send data between NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and the Deep Space Network.

The spacecraft has faced technical challenges before. Issues with its inertial measurement units (IMUs) led NASA to switch to an 'all-stellar' navigation system in 2022, reducing reliance on the faulty components. Despite these setbacks, engineers confirmed MAVEN still had enough propellant to stay in orbit until at least the end of the decade. Funding for the mission, however, has come under threat. NASA’s proposed budget for 2026 cut all financial support for MAVEN, which cost $22.6 million to operate in 2024. The loss of contact now raises questions about the future of its scientific and relay operations.

The spacecraft’s silence leaves its status uncertain. If contact cannot be restored, NASA may lose a critical tool for studying Mars’ atmosphere and supporting surface missions. The agency has not yet announced next steps or whether efforts to re-establish communication are underway.