NASA loses contact with Mars orbiter MAVEN
NASA said it lost contact with its MAVEN spacecraft over the weekend after the orbiter reemerged from behind Mars, noting it had been operating normally before the occultation. Engineers have opened an investigation; MAVEN, launched in 2013 and at Mars since 2014, studies the planet’s upper atmosphere and also relays communications for the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, while MRO and Mars Odyssey remain active.
📌 Key Facts
- MAVEN stopped communicating to ground stations over the weekend after passing behind Mars, NASA said Dec. 10, 2025.
- Launched in 2013 and orbiting since 2014, MAVEN studies Mars’ upper atmosphere and solar wind interaction.
- MAVEN serves as a comm relay for Curiosity and Perseverance; NASA says engineering investigations are underway and MRO/Odyssey are still active.