Artist's rendering, from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA" class="extiw" title="w:NASA">NASA</a>, of the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAVEN" class="extiw" title="w:MAVEN">MAVEN</a></i> spacecraft in its in-flight configuration. Employing the use of a medium-sized spacecraft to orbit the planet mars, the specialised mission studies the chemistry of the planet's atmosphere, searching for evidence of past or present life on Mars and better understanding the planet's atmosphere and its history. The spacecraft also acts as a vital telecommunciations link between Earth and robotic landers / rovers on Mars.
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA" class="extiw" title="w:NASA">National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)</a>
<b>Published source</b>: "<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://science.nasa.gov/toolkits/spacecraft-icons">Spacecraft Icons</a>" at NASA Science<br><b>Direct source</b>: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://smd-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/science-green/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/MAVEN.png">Image</a> hosted by smd-prod.s3.amazonaws.com.