Overview
- NASA has had no contact with the MAVEN orbiter since December 6, with recovery attempts continuing.
- A brief Deep Space Network signal captured on December 6 indicated unexpected rotation and suggested a possible deviation from the planned orbit.
- With MAVEN offline, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey and ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter are handling rover communications.
- NASA scheduled additional overflights for the remaining orbiters for the next two weeks, and the Curiosity and Perseverance teams adjusted daily plans to maintain science operations.
- The spacecraft has exceeded its one‑year prime mission and previously suffered inertial navigation failures in 2022, and uncontrolled rotation could hinder power generation and antenna pointing needed for recontact.