NASA Uses Curiosity in MAVEN Search Amidst Communication Loss and Solar Conjunction

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has lost contact since December 6, 2025, complicating its mission ahead of an upcoming Mars solar conjunction. The Curiosity rover attempted to visually locate MAVEN's orbit, but it was not detected.

• NASA lost contact with MAVEN spacecraft on December 6, 2025.
• MAVEN may be tumbling with an altered orbital path.
• Curiosity rover used its Mastcam to search MAVEN's reference orbit.
• MAVEN was not detected by the Curiosity rover's imaging attempts.
• Mars solar conjunction from Dec 29 to Jan 16 halts Earth-Mars communication.
• Recovery efforts for MAVEN are paused until after solar conjunction.

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