NASA Declares Maven Mars Spacecraft Defunct After Communication Loss
NASA’s Mars Maven spacecraft declared dead after mysteriously ceasing communications
The Independent
Image: The Independent
NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (Maven) spacecraft has been declared defunct after six months of silence. The probe, which launched in 2013, ceased communications following a maneuver behind Mars, leading to a rapid spin and battery depletion. Its mission significantly advanced the understanding of Mars' atmospheric evolution.
- 01Maven was launched in 2013 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in orbit last year.
- 02The spacecraft ceased communications in early December after a maneuver behind Mars, entering a rapid spin.
- 03NASA's review board concluded that Maven is beyond recovery, although an investigation into the malfunction is ongoing.
- 04Maven provided crucial data that helped scientists understand how solar activity contributed to Mars losing most of its atmosphere.
- 05The spacecraft also relayed information from NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers on Mars' surface.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
NASA has officially declared its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (Maven) spacecraft defunct after six months of silence. The announcement came on Wednesday, following the spacecraft's mysterious communication loss in early December, shortly after it executed a maneuver behind Mars. Prior to this, Maven had been fully operational, but upon re-emerging, it was found to have entered a rapid spin, which disrupted its orbit and drained its batteries. A review board determined that the spacecraft could not be recovered, although the investigation into the cause of the malfunction continues. Maven, which launched in 2013, has provided invaluable insights over its decade-long mission, notably showing how solar activity has affected Mars' atmosphere, transforming it from a once-wet world into the dry planet it is today. Besides studying Martian weather, Maven also played a key role in relaying data from NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Shannon Curry, Maven's lead scientist, praised the spacecraft for its remarkable discoveries that have enhanced our understanding of Mars' atmospheric evolution.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the end of the Maven mission?
Connecting to poll...
More about NASA

Northrop Grumman finalise la livraison des segments de propulseurs pour la mission Artemis III
Investing French • Jun 3, 2026

Northrop Grumman Completes Shipment of Final Booster Segments for Artemis III Mission
Investing Australia • Jun 3, 2026

Jupiter's Magnetosphere Reveals Secrets of Particle Acceleration
Gizmodo • Jun 3, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


