Overview
- NASA said Dec. 9 it has been unable to reach MAVEN since Dec. 6, when the orbiter did not resume communications after an occultation by Mars despite earlier normal telemetry.
- MAVEN has operated at Mars since 2014 to study atmospheric escape and also provides UHF relay links for the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
- Other relay options remain in service, including Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter, and Mars Express, with TGO carrying much of the current relay load.
- The spacecraft has a history of navigation hardware issues, prompting a 2022 safe mode and a shift to an all‑stellar guidance approach to reduce reliance on failing IMUs.
- Program uncertainty looms as NASA’s FY2026 proposal would end MAVEN operations, while Congress has appropriated about $700 million for a new Mars telecom orbiter with execution details not yet set.