NASA lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft on December 4; telemetry suggests it was rotating unexpectedly after emerging from behind Mars. Flight teams are analyzing tracking data and attempting to reestablish communication, while amateur radio group AMSAT reports a weak low-gain signal and a command lock with the Deep Space Network in Madrid. Other orbiters—Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, and ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter—remain operational and will provide extra relay passes to support Perseverance and Curiosity. MAVEN previously entered safe mode in 2022 and was recovered in under three months.
NASA Loses Contact With MAVEN; Spacecraft Reported Spinning After Emerging From Behind Mars
NASA failed to reestablish contact with its MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars and hasn't received any signs of life since December 4.
Last week, NASA announced it lost contact with the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) spacecraft, one of seven Earth-launched probes currently orbiting Mars. The agency reported it has not received a telemetry signal since December 4 and says telemetry indicates MAVEN was "rotating in an unexpected manner when it emerged from behind Mars," a condition that could complicate recovery efforts.
MAVEN has played a dual role: relaying communications for Mars surface missions and providing critical measurements of the Red Planet’s upper atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind—data that help scientists understand how Mars evolved into the cold, thin world it is today.
What NASA Is Doing
"The team continues to analyze tracking data to understand the most likely scenarios leading to the loss of signal," NASA wrote, adding that efforts to reestablish contact are ongoing. Flight controllers are reviewing tracking and telemetry to narrow down possible causes and plan recovery attempts.
Amateur Detection and DSN Status
Germany’s branch of the amateur radio organization AMSAT reported a weak reception from MAVEN’s low-gain antenna and said the spacecraft was "in command lock with [Deep Space Network] in Madrid." AMSAT cautioned the signal is faint but expressed hope flight teams can recover full control.
Impact On Surface Operations
NASA said it is "working to mitigate the effect of the MAVEN anomaly on surface operations for NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers." Fortunately, MAVEN is one of four orbiters capable of relaying communications between the surface and Earth. The other three—NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and Mars Odyssey, and ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)—remain operational.
To maintain continuous support for rover communications and science planning, NASA has scheduled additional relay passes from the remaining orbiters and rover teams have adjusted daily planning to continue science operations.
History And Outlook
This is not MAVEN’s first anomaly. In 2022 the spacecraft was placed into safe mode after orientation sensors began showing anomalous behavior; flight teams recovered the probe in just under three months. While recovery is still possible, the reported abnormal rotation after emerging from behind Mars introduces new challenges for antenna pointing and command delivery.
"Fingers crossed that they will be able to fully recover the spacecraft," AMSAT wrote.
NASA and mission teams continue to monitor tracking data and pursue contact attempts. Updates will follow as controllers analyze telemetry and scheduling for additional relay opportunities.
