Nasa loses contact with spacecraft orbiting Mars for more than a decade

A recent study has revealed that clocks on Mars tick faster by approximately 477 microseconds each Earth day, a phenomenon that aligns with Einstein's theory of relativity. This time discrepancy is notably greater than that observed on the Moon, which could introduce significant challenges for future crewed missions to the Red Planet.

NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars orbiter while it was on the far side of the Red Planet. The communication link was abruptly severed, raising concerns about the status of the spacecraft, which had been operational for over a decade prior to this incident.

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured audio evidence of lightning-like discharges in the thin atmosphere of Mars, marking a significant advancement in understanding the planet's atmospheric phenomena. This discovery allows scientists to hear dust devils crackling with electricity, providing new insights into Martian weather patterns.

NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully collected significant samples from Mars, yet the mission to return these samples to Earth is encountering substantial obstacles that could delay or complicate the process.

A new report emphasizes that future human missions to Mars should prioritize the search for extraterrestrial life, highlighting the importance of this endeavor in understanding the planet's potential for hosting life. The study outlines strategic plans for crewed missions aimed at uncovering signs of life beyond Earth.

A new report from the U.S. National Academies emphasizes that future human missions to Mars should focus on searching for signs of past or present life on the planet. This recommendation aligns with ongoing scientific inquiries into Mars' potential to host life, highlighting the importance of prioritizing this search in mission planning.