"NASA is still trying to recontact the MAVEN Mars orbiter after it stopped responding earlier this month, with fragmentary tracking data hinting the craft may be tumbling and off its predicted trajectory. Earlier this week, the US space agency revealed that the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) team had managed to recover a fragment of tracking data from December 6 that indicated the spacecraft was "rotating in an unexpected manner" when it emerged from behind Mars."
"The agency did not confirm whether the spacecraft had entered safe mode, in which an anomalous event causes the probe to shut down all non-essential systems and enter a safe state until communication with controllers can be restored. One space industry insider told The Register that "Safe mode will change the orbit as it involves firing the thrusters," and went on to explain that on their mission, recovery involves performing a maneuver "to undo the damage that safe mode entry has done to the orbit.""
NASA is attempting to reestablish contact with the MAVEN Mars orbiter after it stopped responding earlier this month. A recovered fragment of Doppler tracking data from December 6 indicates the spacecraft was rotating in an unexpected manner as it emerged from behind Mars, and the signal frequency suggests the orbit may have changed. NASA continues to analyze tracking data to determine likely scenarios and to guide recovery efforts. The agency has not confirmed whether MAVEN entered safe mode. Industry sources note that safe mode can alter orbit by firing thrusters, and recovery may require corrective maneuvers. A forthcoming solar conjunction will limit Deep Space Network communications.
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