NASA Declares Mars Spacecraft Dead After It Spins Out Of Control
NASA has officially declared the MAVEN spacecraft dead after losing contact with it in December 2025. The mission, which lasted over 11 years, significantly advanced the understanding of Mars' atmosphere and climate. MAVEN's unexpected loss of communication and subsequent inability to recover led to the conclusion of its scientific operations.
- ▪MAVEN was launched on November 18, 2013, and arrived at Mars on September 22, 2014.
- ▪The spacecraft was designed for a one-year mission but operated for more than a decade.
- ▪MAVEN lost contact with Earth on December 6, 2025, and efforts to reestablish communication were unsuccessful.
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InnovationScienceNASA Declares Mars Spacecraft Dead After It Spins Out Of ControlByJamie Carter,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky.Follow AuthorJun 03, 2026, 03:08pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.NASA has ended its MAVEN mission after losing contact with the spacecraft after an 11-year exploration of Mars’ atmosphere and climate.gettyNASA has officially concluded its MAVEN mission after more than 11 years orbiting Mars, marking the end of a groundbreaking effort to understand how the Red Planet lost much of its atmosphere.
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