NASA Logo in the header
Sciences and Exploration Directorate 
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Operational

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN)

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission is the first orbiter devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere. Research suggests suggests that Mars once had a thicker atmosphere and was warm enough for liquid water to flow on the surface. MAVEN's instruments are exploring Mars' upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the sun and solar wind to determine the role played by loss of atmospheric gas to space in the evolution of the Martian climate through time. Goddard's Planetary Environments Laboratory developed MAVEN's Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer and the Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory developed MAVEN's magnetometer. The MAVEN mission launched November 18, 2013.

Organizations
Launch Date
October 2013
Class
--
Websites
Key Staffs
  • NGIMS Operations Lead
  • Research Scientist
  • Project Scientist
  • Instrument Scientist

Scientists will use MAVEN data to determine the role that loss of volatile compounds, such as CO2, NO2, and H2O, from the Mars atmosphere to space has played through time, giving insight into the history of Mars atmosphere and climate, liquid water, and planetary habitability. MAVEN will carry three instrument suites. The Particles and Fields Package, built by the University of California at Berkeley with support from CU/LASP and Goddard Space Flight Center, contains six instruments that will characterize the solar wind and the ionosphere of the planet. The Remote Sensing Package, built by CU/LASP, will determine global characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.

The Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer, provided by Goddard Space Flight Center, will measure the composition and isotopes of neutral ions. Lockheed Martin, based in Littleton, Colorado, will provide the MAVEN spacecraft, as well as mission operations for the mission. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will navigate the spacecraft. CU/LASP will provide science operations and data packaging.

Related Publications

2024. "C+ 133.5 nm Emission Mechanisms on Mars Revealed by the MAVEN Observations.", The Astrophysical Journal, 977 (2): 226 [10.3847/1538-4357/ad8e35] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Longitudinal Variations of Mars Thermosphere CO2, Ar, N2, and O Densities From MAVEN: Dependencies on Species Mass, Solar Flux, and Local Time.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 129 (4): e2023JA032251 [10.1029/2023ja032251] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Zonal‐Mean N2 and Ar Densities and Temperatures in Mars Thermosphere From MAVEN.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 129 (8): e2024JA032979 [10.1029/2024ja032979] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "The dayside ionosphere of Mars observed by MAVEN NGIMS.", Icarus, 420 116192 [10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116192] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Different Behavior of Density Perturbations Between Dayside and Nightside in the Martian Thermosphere and the Ionosphere Associated With Atmospheric Gravity Waves.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 129 (12): e2024JA032988 [10.1029/2024ja032988] [Journal Article/Letter]

Contact Us

For general inquiries about the Sciences and Exploration Directorate.

Jocelyn Lynch

Project Support Specialist

301-286-6066 jocelyn.m.lynch@nasa.gov
Ellie Jeffries

Project Support Specialist

301-286-6066 ellie.jeffries@nasa.gov
Technical issues with this website may be reported to ben.pelletier@nasa.gov.
General inquiries about the scientific programs at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center may be directed to the Center Office of Communications at 1.301.286.8955.