Why It’s Not Showing Up

NASA is facing significant challenges in attempting to reestablish contact with the MAVEN spacecraft, which has been out of communication for several weeks. The Mars orbiter, which has been studying the Martian atmosphere since 2014, has recently experienced some troubling issues, including an apparent change in its orbit. As solar conjunction approaches, NASA’s efforts to communicate with MAVEN face a daunting pause, highlighting the fragility and complexities of space exploration.

MAVEN’s Mysterious Silence

NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since 2014, gathering vital data on the planet’s atmosphere. However, the spacecraft has been silent since December 6, 2025. The last signal received indicated that MAVEN was possibly tumbling through space, with its orbit showing signs of deviation. This has raised concerns about the spacecraft’s condition and its ability to maintain its mission. MAVEN’s communication blackout coincides with the upcoming solar conjunction, a period when Mars and Earth align on opposite sides of the sun, temporarily halting all communication between Earth and Mars missions. For NASA, this alignment poses a significant challenge in reestablishing contact with MAVEN, as no commands can be sent to the orbiter until the solar conjunction ends in mid-January 2026.

NASA has attempted to use the Curiosity rover’s Mastcam instrument to visually locate MAVEN by imaging its reference orbit. However, this effort was unsuccessful, and MAVEN remains elusive. The lack of communication is especially concerning because it leaves NASA with very little insight into the orbiter’s current state. According to reports from NASA, MAVEN’s communication issues are likely related to a malfunction in its Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems, causing the spacecraft to rotate uncontrollably.

The Mystery of MAVEN’s Orbit and Safe Mode

When a spacecraft encounters unexpected issues, it is typically designed to enter a “safe mode” in which non-essential systems are shut down to conserve power while awaiting instructions from Earth. However, NASA has yet to confirm that MAVEN has entered safe mode. A space industry insider shared with The Register that

“If it were [in safe mode], they [NASA] would be more successful in communicating with it. So whatever has happened, it hasn’t been able to reach safe mode.”

This implies that MAVEN’s failure to stabilize and enter safe mode could be a sign that the situation is more complex than a typical malfunction.

This poses additional questions about the cause of MAVEN’s unexpected rotation. The spacecraft’s guidance systems rely on precise measurements of its orientation, and any malfunction in this area could result in the spacecraft spinning out of control. Potential causes for this issue could include an imbalance in the spacecraft’s thrust or a problem with its attitude control mechanisms, both of which would make communication much harder. NASA’s engineers have a difficult task ahead, as any solution may require the orbiter to be precisely aligned in space to send and receive signals effectively.

The Solar Conjunction and Its Impact on Mars Missions

The solar conjunction is a natural occurrence that takes place when Earth and Mars align on opposite sides of the Sun. During this period, communication between Earth and Mars is impossible, as the Sun’s interference prevents radio signals from traveling through the solar system. This event, which occurs roughly every two years, is a major challenge for space agencies like NASA, as it means that all Mars missions must pause for several weeks. For MAVEN, this means that NASA will not be able to attempt communication with the orbiter from December 29, 2025, until January 16, 2026.

This waiting period adds a layer of uncertainty for NASA, as engineers will have to rely on the data gathered before the solar conjunction to troubleshoot MAVEN’s issues. NASA has indicated that once the solar conjunction window ends, they will resume their attempts to restore communication with MAVEN. However, this time gap presents a significant obstacle, as any damage or misalignment that worsens during this period will be harder to address after the conjunction ends.