NASA MAVEN Mars Orbiter Goes Silent: Recovery Efforts Underway

NASA's MAVEN Mars orbiter lost communication in early December 2025 after over a decade in space. Engineers are actively working to re-establish contact with the crucial spacecraft, which also relays data for Mars rovers. Efforts are complicated by unexpected rotation and an impending solar conjunction.

• NASA lost contact with MAVEN Mars orbiter in early December 2025.
• MAVEN has been studying Mars' atmosphere for over a decade since its 2014 orbit insertion.
• Engineers detected unexpected rotation and possible orbit change from tracking data.
• MAVEN is critical for relaying data from Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
• Solar conjunction will halt communication attempts until mid-January 2026.
• Recovery efforts are ongoing to restore contact with the silent spacecraft.

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