MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution)

Active

NASA's mission to understand how Mars lost its atmosphere over billions of years. MAVEN studies the upper atmosphere of Mars and how it interacts with the solar wind, solving the mystery of Mars' transformation from a warm, wet world to the cold, dry planet we see today.

Type

Mars Orbiter

Launch Date

November 18, 2013

Landing Date

September 22, 2014

Location

Mars Orbit

Latest Scientific Discovery

Live Mission Data

Recent Discoveries

Mission Achievements

✓Discovered that Mars loses atmosphere 10 times faster during solar storms
✓Confirmed that solar wind stripped away Mars' atmosphere over billions of years
✓First detection of metal ions in Mars' upper atmosphere
✓Discovered aurora activity across Mars' entire planet
✓Measured seasonal variations in atmospheric escape
✓Detected unexpected dust clouds at high altitudes
✓Provided crucial atmospheric data for InSight landing
✓Extended mission multiple times due to exceptional performance
✓Served as backup communications relay for surface missions

Mission Objectives

▸Determine the role of atmospheric loss in changing Mars' climate
▸Study the current state and composition of Mars' upper atmosphere
▸Understand how solar wind and radiation affect atmospheric escape
▸Measure the rate at which atmosphere is lost to space today
▸Investigate the history of water and habitability on Mars
▸Characterize seasonal and solar cycle variations in the atmosphere

Scientific Instruments

•NGIMS: Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer - analyzes atmospheric composition
•IUVS: Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph - measures atmospheric structure and composition
•LPW: Langmuir Probe and Waves - measures plasma density and electric fields
•MAG: Magnetometer - detects magnetic field variations
•SEP: Solar Energetic Particle detector - monitors solar particle radiation
•SWIA: Solar Wind Ion Analyzer - measures solar wind interactions
•SWEA: Solar Wind Electron Analyzer - detects electron populations
•STATIC: Supra-Thermal and Thermal Ion Composition - analyzes ion escape