Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN)

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) is a NASA spacecraft launched in 2013 to study how Mars’ atmosphere has changed over time. It focuses on understanding how solar wind and radiation strip away gases from the planet’s atmosphere, leading to its thinning. MAVEN's data helps scientists learn why Mars lost most of its air and water, transforming from a wetter planet into the cold, dry world we see today. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the planet’s history and assessing its past habitability.