Explore

Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Investigates MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss Affecting Mars Mission

NASA Investigates MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss Affecting Mars Mission

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014, experienced a loss of signal with Earth-based ground stations on December 6. Prior to the signal loss, telemetry data indicated that all subsystems were functioning normally. The spacecraft lost contact after moving behind Mars, and upon re-emerging, no signal was detected by NASA's Deep Space Network. The MAVEN mission, launched in November 2013, aims to study the Martian upper atmosphere and its interactions with solar wind, providing insights into the planet's atmospheric history and habitability. The spacecraft also serves as a communication relay for Mars rovers.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Investigates MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss at Mars

NASA Investigates MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss at Mars

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, which is orbiting Mars, experienced a loss of signal with Earth-based ground stations on December 6. Prior to the signal loss, telemetry indicated that all subsystems were functioning normally. The signal was lost when MAVEN orbited behind Mars, and it did not re-establish contact upon re-emerging. NASA's Deep Space Network is currently working with the spacecraft and operations teams to investigate the anomaly and restore communication. MAVEN, launched in 2013, has been studying Mars' upper atmosphere and its interactions with solar wind to understand atmospheric loss.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter, Investigating Communication Anomaly

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter, Investigating Communication Anomaly

NASA has lost contact with its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014. The communication was lost on December 6, 2025, when MAVEN passed behind Mars, a routine part of its orbit. Despite normal operations before the event, NASA was unable to reestablish contact once the spacecraft re-emerged. MAVEN is one of seven orbiters currently studying Mars, focusing on the planet's upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The spacecraft has been instrumental in understanding atmospheric loss on Mars, contributing to theories about how Mars transitioned from a wet planet to its current dry state. NASA's operations teams are actively investigating the anomaly to restore communication.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Investigates MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss After Mars Orbit

NASA Investigates MAVEN Spacecraft Signal Loss After Mars Orbit

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014, experienced a loss of signal with Earth on December 6. Prior to the signal loss, telemetry indicated that all subsystems were functioning normally. The spacecraft lost contact after moving behind Mars, and upon re-emerging, the Deep Space Network failed to detect a signal. NASA teams are currently investigating the anomaly to determine the cause and address the issue. MAVEN's mission is to study Mars' upper atmosphere and its interactions with the Sun and solar wind, providing insights into the planet's atmospheric history and climate. The spacecraft also serves as a communications relay for Martian rovers.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter, Impacting Communication with Martian Missions

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter, Impacting Communication with Martian Missions

NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) orbiter, a critical satellite for both scientific research and communication with Mars surface missions. The loss occurred on December 6, 2025, when the orbiter was on the far side of Mars, a situation that typically results in a temporary loss of signal. However, the Deep Space Network (DSN) failed to reestablish contact as expected. MAVEN, which launched in November 2013, has been instrumental in studying Mars' atmospheric evolution and serves as a communication relay for NASA's rovers, including Perseverance and Curiosity. NASA is currently investigating the anomaly to restore communication.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Spacecraft: Investigation Underway

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Spacecraft: Investigation Underway

NASA has confirmed the complete loss of communication with the MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014 to study its atmosphere. The last successful telemetry was received on December 6, 2025. The spacecraft, known as the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN), was launched on November 18, 2013, and arrived at Mars on September 21, 2014. Its primary mission has been to measure the rate at which oxygen and hydrogen escape from the Martian atmosphere, providing insights into how Mars lost most of its air and water over billions of years. Before the loss of contact, MAVEN entered a planned safe mode. NASA is investigating potential causes, including a software glitch, power system issue, or high-gain antenna failure. Engineers are working to re-establish contact, and a detailed report is expected soon.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter, Impacting Mars Missions

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Mars Orbiter, Impacting Mars Missions

NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN Mars orbiter, a critical component of its Mars exploration program. The loss of signal occurred on December 6, 2025, as the spacecraft passed behind Mars. MAVEN, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014, plays a vital role in studying the planet's upper atmosphere and serves as a communications relay for the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. NASA confirmed the loss of contact on December 9, and teams are actively working to diagnose the issue and restore communication. The cause of the anomaly has not been disclosed, and no major hardware failures have been identified. MAVEN's silence poses a challenge to Mars operations, as it is a key part of the relay network that supports data transmission from the Martian surface to Earth.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA's MAVEN Spacecraft Loses Contact While Orbiting Mars, Investigation Underway

NASA's MAVEN Spacecraft Loses Contact While Orbiting Mars, Investigation Underway

NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014. The spacecraft, part of NASA's mission to study the Martian atmosphere, stopped communicating with ground stations on December 6 after it went behind the planet. MAVEN, which also serves as a communication relay for the Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance, was expected to reestablish contact after emerging from behind Mars, but no signal has been received. NASA is currently investigating the cause of the communication failure.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA's MAVEN Mars Orbiter Loses Contact, Efforts to Reestablish Underway

NASA's MAVEN Mars Orbiter Loses Contact, Efforts to Reestablish Underway

NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft, which is one of three missions currently orbiting Mars. The spacecraft, which serves as a communication relay for Mars rovers and studies the Martian atmosphere, went silent on December 6 after passing behind the planet. Despite routine expectations to regain contact, the Deep Space Network has been unable to reestablish communication. NASA is investigating the anomaly and working to determine the cause of the communication failure.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA's Curiosity Rover Conducts Extensive Drilling and Analysis on Mars

NASA's Curiosity Rover Conducts Extensive Drilling and Analysis on Mars

NASA's Curiosity rover has been actively conducting scientific experiments on Mars, focusing on drilling and analyzing samples from the Nevado Sajama region. The rover recently completed its 45th drill hole, with the CheMin and SAM instruments analyzing the samples. The team is utilizing an extended planning period to maximize scientific output, including ChemCam's seven LIBS measurements and Mastcam's 360-degree stereo mosaic. The rover is also monitoring the Martian environment for dust and atmospheric changes as the planet enters its dusty season.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA and Russian Cosmonauts Set to Return to Earth After 245 Days in Space

NASA and Russian Cosmonauts Set to Return to Earth After 245 Days in Space

Three astronauts, including NASA's Jonny Kim and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, are preparing to return to Earth after spending nearly 245 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which began in April 2025, involved the astronauts orbiting Earth nearly 4,000 times and traveling over 100 million miles. The crew contributed to various scientific experiments and operations during their stay. The undocking from the ISS is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST, with the spacecraft expected to land in Kazakhstan early the following morning. NASA will provide live coverage of the event, offering the public a rare opportunity to witness the final stages of a space mission.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
NASA Crew Prepares for Soyuz Departure from International Space Station

NASA Crew Prepares for Soyuz Departure from International Space Station

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, are set to depart the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft. The crew will undock from the station's Prichal module and make a parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan. The departure marks the end of their mission aboard the ISS, where they have been conducting scientific research and maintenance activities. The undocking and landing will be broadcast live, allowing the public to follow the crew's return to Earth.