The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission launched on November 18, 2013, and entered orbit around Mars on September 21, 2014. The mission’s goal is to explore the planet’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind. Scientists use MAVEN data to explore the loss of volatile compounds—such as CO₂, N₂, and H₂O—from the Martian atmosphere to space. Understanding atmospheric loss gives scientists insight into the history of Mars’ atmosphere and climate, liquid water, and planetary habitability.