NASA ends MAVEN Mars mission

United States — NASA>>> has officially concluded its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission after losing contact with the spacecraft on December 6, 2025. An anomaly review board determined the spacecraft to be unrecoverable, likely due to a high-rate spin that drained its batteries after passing behind Mars>>>. Launched in November 2013, MAVEN operated for over 11 years, far exceeding its one-year primary mission. The mission significantly advanced understanding of Mars>>>'s atmospheric evolution, revealing how solar wind strips atmospheric particles and providing the first direct evidence of sputtering. MAVEN also served as a crucial communications relay for United States — NASA>>>'s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Despite the loss, United States — NASA>>> officials, including Louise Prockter>>>, emphasized the invaluable scientific legacy and data collected, which will guide future Mars>>> research and human exploration efforts. The root cause of the anomaly remains under investigation, with a final report expected later this year.