NASA ends mission after loss of Mars probe
NASA has ended its mission to study the atmosphere and evolution of Mars after its probe, MAVEN, went silent for six months. The spacecraft, which was launched in 2014, was originally intended to operate for one or two years but remained active for over a decade. The loss of the probe has prompted NASA to investigate the cause and other orbiters will now have to take over its communications relay duties.
- ▪The MAVEN spacecraft went into Martian orbit in 2014 and was intended to operate for one or two years.
- ▪The probe lost contact with Earth in December 2025 and has been silent for six months.
- ▪The MAVEN mission has greatly advanced our understanding of Mars's atmosphere, climate history, and habitability.
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NASA ends mission after loss of Mars probeSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxScientific spacecraft MAVEN – short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution – went into Martian orbit in 2014.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished Jun 04, 2026, 08:49 AMUpdated Jun 04, 2026, 08:49 AMWASHINGTON - NASA said on June 3 it will end its mission to study the atmosphere and evolution of Mars after its probe went silent for six months.Scientific spacecraft MAVEN – short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution – went into Martian orbit in 2014.The mission was originally intended to operate for one or two years, but the probe remained active for more than a decade, until December 2025 when it lost contact with Earth.After months of silence, NASA has resigned itself to the loss of the…
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