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NASA's MAVEN Mars Spacecraft Still Silent After Communications Blackout

3/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

NASA's MAVEN Mars spacecraft has not reestablished contact after going silent on December 6, 2025, leaving the mission's future uncertain.
MAVEN rotated unexpectedly as it emerged from Mars, according to tracking data.
Recovery attempts resumed after a solar conjunction caused a communications blackout.
NASA has deployed additional resources, including the Green Bank Observatory, to locate MAVEN.
An anomaly review board is evaluating recovery options.

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Story summary

NASA's MAVEN Mars spacecraft has not reestablished contact after going silent on December 6, 2025, leaving the mission's future uncertain.
MAVEN rotated unexpectedly as it emerged from Mars, according to tracking data.
Recovery attempts resumed after a solar conjunction caused a communications blackout.
NASA has deployed additional resources, including the Green Bank Observatory, to locate MAVEN.
An anomaly review board is evaluating recovery options.