MAVEN telemetry reveals troubling changes in the spacecraft's orbit and rotation.
In a surprising turn of events, recent analyses indicate that the issues affecting NASA’s MAVEN Mars orbiter may be more complex than initially thought. On December 9, NASA reported that they had lost contact with the spacecraft just three days prior after it failed to re-establish communication following its passage behind Mars as seen from Earth. At that time, the agency offered limited information, leading many to assume the problems were confined to the orbiter's communications systems.
However, in an update released on December 15, NASA disclosed that they had received a "brief fragment of tracking data" from MAVEN during a radio science experiment conducted on December 6—the very day contact was lost. This data revealed unexpected rotation of the spacecraft and indicated it was not following its anticipated orbital path.
NASA explained, "Analysis of that signal suggests that the MAVEN spacecraft was rotating in an unforeseen manner when it emerged from behind Mars. Furthermore, the frequency of the tracking signal implies that MAVEN’s orbital trajectory might have altered."
As teams at NASA work diligently to determine the cause behind this loss of signal, efforts to re-establish communication are also underway. An industry expert, speaking anonymously, suggested that NASA's findings could indicate that MAVEN experienced an "energetic event," such as a rupture in its fuel tank or propellant line. Such an incident could cause both the spacecraft to spin and provide thrust, thereby changing its orbital course.
During the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, a key conference for Earth and space sciences, NASA officials refrained from sharing further details regarding MAVEN's status. Jaime Favors, the director of NASA’s space weather program, expressed sympathy for the MAVEN team, stating, "Our hearts are deeply with the MAVEN team right now as they face their challenges and work through that."
Complicating recovery efforts is an impending solar conjunction, which will position Mars directly behind the sun as observed from Earth. This alignment will restrict radio communications with all Mars-bound spacecraft for several weeks in January.
Launched in November 2013, MAVEN—short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution—entered Martian orbit in September 2014. Its primary mission is to investigate the planet’s upper atmosphere and its interactions with the solar wind, particularly how the Martian atmosphere escapes into space.
In addition to its scientific objectives, MAVEN has played a crucial role as a communications relay for the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers operating on the Martian surface. In light of MAVEN's current unavailability, NASA has stated that they will increasingly depend on other assets, including Mars Odyssey, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, to continue providing relay services.
