WASHINGTON — NASA is working hard to reach its MAVEN spacecraft again. Mars missions are coming back online after a “solar conjunction.” This period happens when the Sun blocks signals between Earth and Mars.
JK News understands that engineers are now sending new commands. They are using NASA’s Deep Space Network for this urgent task. The MAVEN orbiter last sent a signal on December 6.
Analyzing Small Data Snippets
Engineers are currently studying small pieces of recovered data. They collected these snippets during a radio test on December 6. The team wants to build a clear timeline of events.
According to JK News, this data might explain the communication failure. NASA hopes to identify the exact technical issues very soon. The MAVEN team still listens for a response every single day.
The Challenges of Solar Conjunction For NASA
Mars experts know that delayed responses are common after a conjunction. However, this prolonged silence is a serious concern for NASA. An “Anomaly Review Board” will now assess the spacecraft’s status.
Mission teams are transmitting repetitive signals to get a weak response. They want to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. Every bit of information is critical at this stage.
MAVEN’s Legacy at Mars
MAVEN has been orbiting the Red Planet since 2014. Its mission helps us understand how Mars lost its atmosphere. This work reshaped our knowledge of the climate history of Mars.
JK News reports that scientists value MAVEN’s data deeply. It explains why Mars changed from a warm planet to a cold desert. NASA remains hopeful about saving this vital scientific mission.
