Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission is NASA's exploration of how Mars’ atmosphere has changed over billions of years. Launched in 2013, MAVEN studies the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and solar wind interactions to understand how the planet lost much of its original air. This helps scientists learn why Mars transitioned from a wetter, warmer climate to the cold, dry world it is today. By analyzing atmospheric escape processes, MAVEN provides crucial insights into Mars’ climate history and guides future exploration efforts.