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The Woodlands Today
By the People, for the People
NASA Continues Search for Silent Mars Orbiter at Woodlands Conference
Officials describe ongoing efforts to regain contact with MAVEN probe as other spacecraft take over its duties.
Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:42am
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NASA scientists meeting at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas shared that they still haven't regained contact with the MAVEN Mars orbiter, which went silent in December. They described the ongoing search efforts and how other spacecraft are picking up MAVEN's duties, giving local attendees a front-row seat to a high-stakes space drama unfolding in real time.
Why it matters
The loss of contact with the MAVEN orbiter is a significant setback for NASA's Mars exploration program, as the probe was providing valuable data about the planet's atmosphere. The conference in The Woodlands allowed the public to learn about the challenges NASA is facing and the steps being taken to try to recover the mission.
The details
The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) orbiter went silent in December, and NASA has been unable to reestablish communication with the probe. Officials said they are continuing search efforts, using other Mars orbiters to try to locate and reactivate MAVEN. In the meantime, the Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft have taken over some of MAVEN's duties, such as relaying data from Mars rovers.
- MAVEN went silent in December 2025.
- NASA scientists discussed the MAVEN situation at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas in March 2026.
The players
MAVEN
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) orbiter is a NASA spacecraft that has been studying the Martian atmosphere since 2014.
Mars Odyssey
A NASA orbiter that has been studying Mars since 2001 and is now helping to cover some of MAVEN's duties.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
A NASA orbiter that has been studying Mars since 2006 and is also assisting with some of MAVEN's responsibilities.
What’s next
NASA will continue its efforts to regain contact with the MAVEN orbiter, using other spacecraft to help cover its duties in the meantime. The agency is hopeful that it can eventually restore the probe's operations.
The takeaway
The loss of contact with the MAVEN orbiter highlights the challenges and risks involved in deep space exploration, but also NASA's persistence and determination to overcome setbacks and continue its mission of studying the planets. The conference in The Woodlands gave the local community a unique window into this unfolding space drama.
