NASA Battles MAVEN Communication Breakdown as Perseverance Continues Martian Exploration

In early December, NASA experienced a significant communication setback with its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, which has been studying the Martian atmosphere since it entered orbit in September 2014. The agency lost contact with MAVEN on December 6 as it passed behind Mars during a routine blackout phase where signals between the spacecraft and Earth are temporarily blocked. Although it was expected that communication would resume promptly, efforts to reestablish contact have not yet succeeded.

MAVEN’s mission, which began with its launch in November 2013, involves intricate research into the loss of the Martian atmosphere due to solar wind, providing vital insights into the planet’s climatic evolution. Prior to its silence, MAVEN transmitted signals indicating that all systems were operational and functioning normally. However, tracking data retrieved on December 15 showed that upon reemergence, MAVEN was spinning unexpectedly, which may suggest an alteration in its orbit.

NASA’s teams are actively pursuing a way to regain contact, while also analyzing the data to uncover the circumstances surrounding the loss of communication. Meanwhile, this disruption has implications for other ongoing missions on Mars, particularly those involving surface rovers like Perseverance and Curiosity. MAVEN plays an important role in relaying communications between Earth and the rovers, and with its current inoperability, NASA is coordinating with other orbiters to maintain communication links.

The Perseverance rover remains active on the Martian surface, continuing its exploration of Jezero Crater in search of evidence of ancient microbial life. As it ventures toward a new area dubbed “Lac de Charmes,” its team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is assessing the rover’s systems and overall health after almost five years on Mars and a journey of approximately 40 kilometers.

Perseverance employs advanced autonomous navigation technology, which has allowed it to navigate its surroundings efficiently, primarily relying on its Enhanced Autonomous Navigation (ENav) system that helps it avoid hazards. So far, more than 90% of its travels have been completed autonomously, enabling the rover to gather a varied array of samples during its mission.

The upcoming milestone marks the fifth anniversary of Perseverance’s landing, which has already surpassed its sibling rover Curiosity in terms of distance traveled due to its enhanced driving capabilities. As the team prepares for further exploration, they are conducting stress tests on key components, such as the rover’s braking system, to ensure its robust performance for potentially many more years on Mars.

Recent investigations have shown that Perseverance’s findings, particularly in areas rich in olivine and carbonates, could provide critical evidence regarding ancient environmental conditions and possibly the existence of life. The rover’s exploration of geological formations has offered glimpses into how Martian history has shaped its surface and atmosphere.

While scientists eagerly anticipate new discoveries at Lac de Charmes, they will also draw comparisons to findings made at the Margin Unit, a location where rocks appear to bear the traces of ancient water interactions. The mission’s scientists published their recent findings in the journal Science, demonstrating Perseverance’s potential to unlock fundamental truths about Mars’ past.

As NASA continues to troubleshoot the MAVEN communication issues, the work of the Perseverance team exemplifies the agency’s enduring commitment to unraveling the mysteries of the Red Planet.