MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft was first launched in 2014. It was among the 20 mission investigation proposals submitted to NASA.
After getting chosen, it became the 10th Mars orbiter that the international space agency sent to the Red Planet. It is specifically designed to be a relay satellite, transmitting information from other spacecraft orbiting Mars back to Earth.
NASA Mars Orbiter Glitch Leads To a Protective Safe Mode Action
According to Space.Com's latest report, the main antenna of MAVEN is still pointed towards Earth. NASA said that doing can help during the recovery operation.
(Photo : Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)
This artist impression image released by European Space Agency (ESA) shows Mars Express in orbit around Mars. Mars Express, launched by a Soyuz fregat 02 June 2003 will eject the Beagle 2 lander 19 December 2003. Beagle 2 will make its own way to the correct landing site on the surface.
But, since the antenna is only pointed in one direction, it can't receive data from other Mars spacecraft.
Recently, NASA was able to revive the Mars Orbiter. However, it didn't last long. Now, NASA announced the latest status of its MAVEN spacecraft.
"The spacecraft is currently out of safe mode, stable and in Earth-nadir mode, pointing its high gain antenna toward Earth to facilitate high-rate communications," said NASA via its official NASAGov announcement post.
NASA clarified that all the science instruments of MAVEN are still online.
However, they are not receiving any data from other orbiting rockets because the main antenna is in a single position.
As of writing, the international space union hasn't provided an estimated date for the complete revival of MAVEN.
Will This Affect Perseverance, Curiosity Rover?
Since MAVEN is the main relay orbiting system of NASA, it can affect the performance of Perseverance Rover and Curiosity Rover.
Without the Mars Orbiter, the two Mars surface vehicles can't send essential information back to Earth. This means that if they capture breakthrough photos, then the Earth-based researchers will receive them a little later.
If you want to see further details about the ongoing MAVEN protective safe mode status, you can visit this link.
Meanwhile, NASA Hubble Space Telescope captured another gorgeous image containing a pair of star-forming galaxies.
On the other hand, experts said that the NASA solar sails could soon make space ventures easier.
For more news updates about NASA Mars Orbiter and other satellites, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
