NASA's MAVEN Goes Silent as Recovery Hopes Fade, With a Window Still Open

NASA’s MAVEN orbiter went offline in December and appears to be spinning after coming out from behind Mars, making recovery unlikely; a solar conjunction through January 16 could still offer a last chance to recontact, while NASA analyzes tracking data and attempts to reestablish contact. Other Mars assets can relay signals, and a revived Mars Telecommunications Orbiter is in development but has no launch date.