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MAVEN stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission
MAVEN is the first spacecraft dedicated to exploring the tenuous upper atmosphere of Mars. The mission’s combination of detailed point measurements and global observations provides a powerful way to understand the properties of the upper atmosphere.
The primary mission includes five “deep-dip” campaigns, in which the altitude of MAVEN’s orbit will be lowered to about 77 miles (125 kilometers).
MAVEN will help scientists understand the climate history of Mars. How did a planet once possibly habitable to microbial life turn into a cold and barren desert world? What role did the solar wind have in stripping away the atmosphere? The mission will study the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars, characterizing their current states and determining the rates of loss of gas to space today.
Spacecraft connection to the Museum:
Spacecraft connection to the Museum:
An artist concept of MAVEN and a MAVEN presentation by Principal Investigator Bruce Jakosky are available as part of the Museum's digital collection on our website. This object is not on display on the museum floor at the National Air and Space Museum.
Additional information:
Additional information:
MAVEN - NASA website
When did the MAVEN launch from Earth and arrive at Mars?
Launch: MAVEN launched on November 18, 2013 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Mars Orbit Insertion: Occurred on September 21, 2014.
Mission Status: Active The spacecraft continues to operate.
What are the mission objectives for MAVEN?
Determine the role that loss of volatiles to space from the Martian atmosphere has played through time.
Determine the current state of the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the solar wind.
Determine the current rates of escape of neutral gases and ions to space and the processes controlling them.
Determine the ratios of stable isotopes in the Martian atmosphere.
What are some of the findings from MAVEN's mission so far?
The Mars atmosphere has been stripped away by the sun and the solar wind over time, changing the climate from a warmer and wetter environment early in history to the cold, dry climate that we see today.
Measured the rate at which the sun and the solar wind are stripping gas from the top of the atmosphere to space today, along with the details of the removal processes. Extrapolation of the loss rates into the ancient past -- when the solar ultraviolet light and the solar wind were more intense -- indicates that large amounts of gas have been lost to space through time.
The first direct observations of a layer of metal ions in the Martian ionosphere, resulting from incoming interplanetary dust hitting the atmosphere.
Identified two new types of aurora, termed “diffuse” and “proton” aurora; unlike how we think of most aurorae on Earth, these aurorae are unrelated to either a global or local magnetic field.
The interactions between the solar wind and the planet are unexpectedly complex. This results due to the lack of an intrinsic Martian magnetic field and the occurrence of small regions of magnetized crust that can affect the incoming solar wind on local and regional scales.
Observed the full seasonal variation of hydrogen in the upper atmosphere, confirming that it varies by a factor of 10 throughout the year. The source of the hydrogen ultimately is water in the lower atmosphere, broken apart into hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight.
What are some of the instruments on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and what are their purposes?
Particles and Fields Package (PFP) contains six instruments - characterize the solar wind and the ionosphere of Mars
Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA)
Solar Wind Electron Analyzer (SWEA)
Solar Energetic Particle (SEP)
SupraThermal and Thermal Ion Composition (STATIC)
Langmuir Probe and Waves (LPW)
Magnetometer (MAG)
Remote Sensing Package - determine global characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) - measure the composition and isotopes of neutrals and ions.
Electra telecommunications Package - relay data from rovers or landers on the Martian surface.
What was the primary power source for MAVEN?
Two solar arrays provide about 1,200 Watts of electrical power that is stored in two 55-Amp-hour batteries. Dedicated electronics distribute electrical power and control the state of charge of the two batteries. MAVEN uses a 28-Volt main power bus.
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