
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA has lost contact with a spacecraft that has orbited Mars for more than a decade.
Maven abruptly stopped communicating to ground stations over the weekend. NASA said this week that it was working fine before it went behind the red planet. When it reappeared, there was only silence.
Launched in 2013, Maven began studying the upper Martian atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind once reaching the red planet the following year. Scientists ended up blaming the sun for Mars losing most of its atmosphere to space over the eons, turning it from wet and warm to the dry and cold world it is today.
Maven also has served as a communication relay for NASA’s two Mars rovers, Curiosity and Perseverance.
Engineering investigations are underway, according to NASA.
NASA has two other spacecraft around Mars that are still active: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2005, and Mars Odyssey, launched in 2001.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Cyber Monday 2025 streaming deal: Get $42 off six months of Apple TV - 2
7 Moves toward a Sound and Dynamic Way of life - 3
Damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft to return to Earth uncrewed for inspection - 4
Kuwait is softening stance on Israel, dissident tells ‘Post’ after viral UN speech - 5
Marvel's X-Men are joining the battle in 'Avengers: Doomsday': Watch the teaser
This cafe takes orders in sign language. It's cherished by the Deaf community
Reclassifying Achievement: Individual Accounts of Seeking after Interests
From Sea shores to Urban areas: Astonishing Worldwide Travel Objections
Scientists uncover an ant assassination scheme that helps a parasitic queen rise to power
Equality requires universal draft, participation in economy and workforce, MK Liberman says
Beating Scholastic Difficulties: Understudy Examples of overcoming adversity
Satellite data reveals a huge solar storm in 2024 shrank Earth's protective plasma shield
Step by step instructions to Get the Best Vehicle Rent Arrangement: Insider Tips and Systems
Iran plans new restrictions in overhaul of Strait of Hormuz rules













