space
December 11, 2025
NASA just lost contact with a Mars orbiter, and will soon lose another one
If NASA is serious about exploring Mars, it’s past time to send new missions.
TL;DR
- NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN Mars orbiter.
- MAVEN studied the Martian atmosphere and acted as a data relay for rovers.
- NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter is close to running out of fuel.
- The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is aging but has enough fuel for the 2030s.
- Other international orbiters and NASA rovers also face limitations or do not offer relay services.
- Loss of MAVEN raises concerns about communication capabilities for Mars exploration.
- NASA is exploring commercial relay services and has congressional funding for a new Mars telecom relay station.
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