Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) studies how Mars's atmosphere has changed over time. Thousands of millions of years ago, Mars likely had a thicker, wetter atmosphere that could support liquid water. Over time, solar wind and radiation stripped away much of this atmosphere, causing it to become thin and dry today. MAVEN’s mission captures data on how the solar wind interacts with Mars's atmosphere and how gases escape into space. Understanding this process helps scientists learn why Mars transformed from a potentially habitable planet into a cold, arid world.