MAVEN Explores Mars to Understand Radio Interference at Earth

NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft has discovered “layers” and “rifts” in the electrically charged part of the upper atmosphere (the ionosphere) of Mars. The phenomenon is very common at Earth and causes unpredictable disruptions to radio communications. However, we do not fully understand them because they form at altitudes that are very difficult to explore at Earth. The unexpected discovery by MAVEN shows that Mars is a unique laboratory to explore and better understand this highly disruptive phenomenon. Music from Universal Production Music. Songs include: "Alpha and Omega," "Break the News" and "Waiting for a Sensation" Video credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center James Tralie (ADNET): Lead Producer Lead Editor Narrator Bailee DesRocher (USRA): Lead Animator Michael Lentz (USRA): Art Director Jonathan North (USRA): Animator Krystofer Kim (USRA): Animator Jacquelyn DeMink (USRA): Animator Bruce Jakosky (LASP): Scientist Glyn Collinson (Catholic University of America): Scientist Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support