NASA gives up on lost Mars orbiter

After a costly and complex mission spanning several years and $582 million, NASA has officially declared the end of its MAVEN orbiter's mission. The orbiter, which was designed to study Mars' upper atmosphere, suffered a problem on the far side of the planet last year that could not be resolved. Despite its success in providing valuable data about Mars' atmosphere and climate, the mission couldn't be salvaged. This decision underscores the challenges of long-term space exploration and the delicate balance between scientific discovery and the costs involved.