Preface: As of January 10, 2026, NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft, and recovery efforts are currently paused due to an astronomical phenomenon known as solar conjunction.
Background: NASA’s MAVEN orbiter uses an Electra UHF transceiver to act as a crucial “bent pipe” communication relay, receiving data from rovers and landers on Mars (like Perseverance and Curiosity) and forwarding it to Earth, significantly boosting data return rates through its specialized radio system. This UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) link is ideal for short-range rover-to-orbiter communication, overcoming limitations of direct surface-to-Earth links by using MAVEN’s higher orbit and adaptive data rates.
NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft uses shielding, particularly Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI), to protect its sensitive instruments and electronics from the harsh space environment, including energetic particles from solar events like Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and solar wind.
Recent Hubble Space Telescope images of comet 3I/ATLAS in late 2025 revealed an “intriguing configuration” featuring a prominent sunward anti-tail and two additional, smaller jets, creating a structure of three evolving jets or anti-tails. Do these tail-like structures generate radio frequency (RF) frequencies?
Yes, the MeerKAT radio telescope successfully detected hydroxyl (OH) absorption lines at 1665 MHz and 1667 MHz from the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS in late 2025. These lines are characteristic of hydroxyl radicals (OH molecules), which are fragments of water molecules broken apart by solar radiation. This detection confirms the presence of these natural molecules in the comet’s atmosphere/tail.
In astrophysics, these specific frequencies are well known as the characteristic spectral lines (emissions) of the hydroxyl (OH) radical molecule. Astronomers observe these natural radio emissions from comets, nebulae, and other interstellar sources to study cosmic chemistry and dynamics. In this natural phenomenon, the emissions themselves act as the “signal” scientists detect, rather than a man-made carrier wave.
When solar wind coronal mass ejections mix with hydroxyl (OH) absorption lines, will any special effects occur?
When a coronal mass ejection (CME) or intense solar wind mixes with hydroxyl (OH) in an environment with little to no atmosphere (like the Moon or asteroids), it can lead to the formation of actual Hydroxyl groups (and potentially water) within the surface material. This process creates or enhances specific light absorption bands near 3 micrometers (µm) in the object’s reflectance spectrum, which can be observed remotely.
If the above details do not affect orbital flight operations, can we say that the Maven probe will appear soon?
NASA announcement: Please refer to the link for details – https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/maven/2025/12/23/nasa-works-maven-spacecraft-issue-ahead-of-solar-conjunction/