NASA continues the search for the Mars rover MAVEN despite its disappearance and remains hopeful for the vehicle's return

Summary of the event

On December 6, 2025 NASA stopped receiving signals from the orbital probe MAVEN, which was studying the Martian atmosphere. The fragments of tracking data that emerged after analysis indicate that the spacecraft left its planned orbit for unknown reasons. After a two‑week communication blackout caused by the Sun passing between Earth and Mars, on January 16, 2026 the agency had not detected any signal from the probe, but attempts to restore contact continue.

What is MAVEN?

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution – one of three current NASA missions around Mars.
Launched in 2013, it has been orbiting the planet for 12 years, although originally only a one‑year stay was planned.
It is the most important communication relay for the rovers Perseverance and Curiosity: together with MRO (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter), Odyssey, Mars Express (ESA) and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter it provides data transmission across the entire surface of the Red Planet.

What did NASA do to find MAVEN?

Action | Result
Using the NSF Green Bank Observatory – unsuccessful
Reorienting Curiosity’s sensors toward zenith to search for a signal – no detection
Searching satellite data from orbital probes (MRO, Odyssey, etc.) – still no result

NASA planetary science division head Lisa Procter noted: “The likelihood of detecting MAVEN is extremely low, but we continue the search.” Official statements have not yet confirmed the loss of the probe.

How the rest of the infrastructure is affected

After losing contact, other orbital assets took over most rover relay tasks.
NASA scheduled additional communication sessions and adjusted daily schedules for Curiosity and Perseverance.

Future steps

1. Infrastructure upgrade – options are being considered to replace MAVEN or create new orbital relays.
2. Funding – a bill passed last year allocates $700 million for a new “high‑performance Martian telecommunications orbiter.”
3. External proposals – Blue Origin has offered its own probe; launch could occur by 2028.

Thus, the loss of contact with MAVEN leaves NASA searching for a solution to maintain a stable relay network on Mars, and further actions depend on the results of current studies and plans to modernize orbital infrastructure.