MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN)

MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) is a NASA spacecraft launched in 2013 to study how Mars lost much of its original atmosphere and water over time. It orbits Mars, analyzing the composition, behavior, and escape of gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor from the planet’s atmosphere. Understanding these processes helps scientists learn about Mars’s climate history and whether conditions ever supported life. MAVEN's data provides insights into planetary evolution, atmospheric loss mechanisms, and helps guide future exploration efforts.