tech
NASA says Maven spacecraft that was orbiting Mars has gone silent
December 10, 2025 / 5:06 PM EST / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- NASA has lost communication with the MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars.
- MAVEN studied the upper Martian atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind.
- The spacecraft helped explain Mars' transition from a wet and warm planet to a dry and cold one.
- MAVEN also functioned as a communication relay for NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
- Contact was lost on December 6th after the spacecraft went behind Mars.
- NASA still has two active spacecraft around Mars: the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey.
- The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter searches for evidence of past water on Mars.
- The Mars Odyssey studies Martian clouds, fog, frost, and surface rocks for future landing safety.
- Mars Odyssey holds the record for the longest continually active mission in orbit around a planet other than Earth.