Science TechnologyThursday, 22 January 2026·The Hindu
NASA ends MAVEN mission: key science and space facts for TNPSC
NASA has declared the MAVEN mission ended, making it a relevant space-science current affair for TNPSC aspirants.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In January 2026, NASA declared the MAVEN mission ended, closing a long-running Mars exploration mission that had been part of the agency’s planetary science programme.
Key specifics
- NASA is the space agency named in the report.
- MAVEN is the mission name, which stands for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, a Mars-related project.
- The mission was declared ended in January 2026, giving the item a clear date marker.
- The mission relates to Mars exploration and planetary science, both TNPSC science topics.
- The news is testable on mission name, agency name, and the planet Mars.
Exam lens
Question type: space mission identification; NASA, MAVEN, Mars, January 2026. TNPSC may ask which mission was ended and which planet it studied.