NASA Loses Contact with Mars Orbiter, Sets Stage for Critical Spacecraft Failure

NASA officials reported that the agency has lost contact with one of its three spacecraft orbiting Mars, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, spacecraft. The last communication with MAVEN was on Saturday, December 6, and NASA's Deep Space Network did not observe a signal from the spacecraft after it emerged from behind the red planet. Mission controllers are currently investigating the anomaly to determine the cause of the loss of contact. According to NASA, telemetry from MAVEN showed all subsystems working normally before it orbited behind Mars. The spacecraft, which is the newest of NASA's three operational Mars orbiters, was launched in 2013 and arrived at Mars in September 2014. MAVEN was designed to study interactions between the Sun and the Martian atmosphere, and its mission was extended in 2019 to continue its research. A second Mars orbiter, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, is also facing a critical situation. The spacecraft is perilously close to running out of fuel, and NASA officials have stated that it may not have enough propellant to continue its mission beyond 2023. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been orbiting Mars since 2006 and has provided valuable data on the planet's geology and climate. The third Mars orbiter, the Mars Odyssey, has been operating well past its warranty and has been extended multiple times. The spacecraft was launched in 2001 and has been orbiting Mars since 2002. NASA officials have stated that the Mars Odyssey is still operational and is providing valuable data on the planet's atmosphere and geology. The loss of contact with MAVEN and the impending loss of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter raise concerns about the reliability and longevity of NASA's Mars exploration program. The agency has invested billions of dollars in its Mars exploration program, and the loss of these spacecraft could have significant implications for future missions. "We are working to determine the cause of the loss of contact with MAVEN and to assess the situation with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter," said a NASA spokesperson. "We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available." The loss of contact with MAVEN and the impending loss of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter also highlight the challenges and risks involved in space exploration. Spacecraft are complex systems that are subject to a variety of failures and malfunctions, and NASA officials must carefully plan and execute their missions to ensure their success. NASA officials are currently assessing the situation and determining the best course of action to address the loss of contact with MAVEN and the impending loss of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The agency will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.