NASA announced the termination of the MAVEN probe's mission after losing contact with the device for 6 months, marking the end of one of the important research programs on Mars.
The scientific spacecraft MAVEN, an abbreviation of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, was put into Mars orbit in 2014 to study the atmosphere and evolution of the red planet.
Initially, the mission was designed to operate for about one to two years. However, MAVEN continued to work effectively for more than a decade before losing contact with Earth in December 2025.
After months of not receiving a response signal, NASA said that it has accepted the possibility of completely losing the probe. According to current assessments, MAVEN is likely still existing in orbit around Mars.
The US space agency said it will investigate the cause of the loss of contact.
During its operation, MAVEN has brought important data to help scientists better understand the phenomenon of atmospheric loss, that is, the process of gases in the atmosphere gradually disappearing into space.
Ms. Shannon Curry - a professor of astrophysics participating in the program - assessed that this is "the best Mars mission ever". According to her, the data collected by MAVEN has helped scientists better understand the phenomenon of atmospheric loss on Mars compared to any other planet, including Earth.
Ms. Shannon Curry believes that Mars currently plays the role of a special natural laboratory to study the atmosphere of rocky planets.
Ms. Tiffany Morgan - leader of NASA's exploration program - said that MAVEN has made a profound contribution to raising human understanding of the atmosphere, climate history and the possibility of life on Mars.
Not only conducting scientific research, MAVEN also plays the role of a communication relay station between Earth and the robots that NASA deploys on the surface of Mars.
After the mission ends, this information transfer mission will be undertaken by other orbital ships.
