Martian atmosphere
Space weather interactions
Atmospheric loss on Mars
Planetary magnetic processes
The study also explains how Mars may have lost much of its atmosphere over time.
Understanding these processes may help future Mars missions and planetary research.
About the MAVEN Spacecraft
MAVEN stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN.
It is NASA’s first mission dedicated to studying the upper atmosphere of Mars.
Main Objectives
- Study atmospheric loss on Mars
- Understand climate change on Mars
- Examine solar wind interaction
- Analyze the Martian ionosphere
Launch and Arrival
- Launched: November 2013
- Reached Mars: September 2014
Instruments on MAVEN
The spacecraft carries three major instrument packages.
1. Solar Wind Study Package
This package studies:
- Solar wind
- Space weather
- Effects on Mars’ ionosphere
2. Ultraviolet Spectrometer
It studies:
- Upper atmosphere
- Atmospheric composition
- Ultraviolet emissions
3. Mass Spectrometer
It examines:
- Atmospheric gases
- Chemical composition
- Particle behavior
MAVEN also discovered that Mars lost nearly two-thirds of its early atmosphere into space.
Difference Between Earth and Mars