NASA's Maven spacecraft declared dead after mysteriously ceasing communications

NASA's Maven spacecraft, a veteran explorer of the Martian atmosphere, has been declared defunct after six months of unexplained silence. Launched in 2013, Maven studied Mars's atmosphere and volatile evolution for over a decade. The probe ceased communications after a December maneuver behind Mars, and upon reappearing, there was only silence. Data indicated Maven entered a rapid spin, disrupted its orbit, and depleted its onboard batteries, leading a NASA review board to determine the mission was beyond recovery. Maven celebrated its 10th orbital anniversary last year and contributed to understanding solar-driven atmospheric loss on Mars and to relaying data from Curiosity and Perseverance. Lead scientist Shannon Curry praised the mission's discoveries, while investigators continue to probe the malfunction's exact cause.