NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter; Engineers Work to Re-establish Communication
NASA has lost contact with its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014. MAVEN's primary mission is to study how the Martian atmosphere escapes into space, helping scientists understand the planet's transition from a watery world to a dry desert. The craft also serves as a critical communication relay for Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance. Recent data suggests the spacecraft may be rotating unexpectedly or its orbit may have changed. MAVEN arrived at Mars just days before India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2014.
Key Points
- MAVEN studies the Martian upper atmosphere and ionosphere to understand atmospheric loss over time.
- The spacecraft serves as a vital relay for data transmission from ground rovers like Curiosity to Earth.
- Contact was lost in early December 2024, with signs of unexpected rotation and potential orbital changes.
- MAVEN and India's Mangalyaan (MOM) both reached Mars in September 2014, though with different mission goals.
Exam Facts
- MAVEN stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution.
- Reached Mars in September 2014 (days before India's Mangalyaan).
- Mangalyaan (MOM) cost ₹450 crore compared to MAVEN's $671 million.
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