NASA just lost contact with a Mars orbiter, and will soon lose another one
3 days ago
- #Spacecraft
- #NASA
- #Mars
- NASA lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars on December 6.
- MAVEN is the newest of NASA's three Mars orbiters, studying interactions between the Sun and Martian atmosphere.
- MAVEN discovered how solar wind eroded Mars' atmosphere, transforming it from habitable to inhospitable.
- The spacecraft also contributed to understanding Mars' auroras and acted as a relay for Mars rovers.
- MAVEN has exceeded its design life and is part of NASA's Mars relay network.
- If MAVEN is not revived, NASA has two other orbiters to continue operations.