NASA has officially ended the MAVEN mission after losing contact with the spacecraft around Mars late last year. The decision closes a major chapter in the agency’s long-running effort to understand how the Red Planet lost much of its atmosphere.

The space agency said a review board determined the spacecraft could no longer recover from an anomaly that occurred in December. MAVEN, short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, last communicated with Earth on Dec. 6 after passing behind Mars.

The mission spent more than 11 years orbiting Mars and studying its upper atmosphere. MAVEN also continued operating for nearly a decade beyond its planned one-year science mission.

Sudden loss of contact

Before communication stopped, telemetry showed the spacecraft operating normally. NASA expected MAVEN to reappear after moving behind Mars, but ground controllers never received another signal from the spacecraft.

Engineers later analyzed radio data recorded by NASA’s Deep Space Network and uncovered signs of a serious problem. The data suggested MAVEN entered safe mode and started rotating at an unusually high speed after emerging from behind Mars.

NASA said the rapid spin likely disrupted the spacecraft’s orbit and drained its batteries. Once battery levels dropped too low, the communications system lost power, leaving the spacecraft unable to contact Earth again.

The agency assembled an anomaly review board in February to evaluate recovery options and determine the spacecraft’s condition. After months of analysis, the board concluded that MAVEN could no longer perform science observations or support relay operations around Mars.

Investigators still have not identified the root cause behind the anomaly. NASA expects the review board to release a final report later this year.

Decade of discoveries

NASA launched MAVEN in November 2013 as the first mission focused entirely on studying the Martian atmosphere and its evolution. Scientists used the spacecraft to investigate how solar activity stripped atmospheric particles away from the planet over billions of years.

The mission helped researchers better understand how Mars transformed from a wetter and potentially habitable world into the cold, dry planet seen today. MAVEN also provided new insight into the planet’s climate history and the fate of its ancient water.

Louise Prockter, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division, said the spacecraft’s findings will continue supporting future exploration efforts. She said MAVEN’s data plays an important role in helping scientists understand radiation conditions astronauts could face on future crewed missions to Mars.

NASA also plans to archive the mission’s full dataset so researchers can continue using the information for future studies and planetary science work.

Supporting Mars exploration

Along with its scientific mission, MAVEN played a critical support role for other spacecraft operating at Mars. The orbiter helped relay information from NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers back to Earth during surface operations.

That relay support allowed scientists to receive larger amounts of rover data and strengthened communication links across multiple Mars missions. MAVEN also contributed to observations of Martian weather and even studied a rare interstellar comet during its extended mission.

Shannon Curry, MAVEN’s principal investigator at the University of Colorado Boulder, said the mission produced a lasting scientific impact. She said the spacecraft significantly improved scientists’ understanding of the Martian atmosphere and planetary evolution.

Although MAVEN’s mission has officially ended, NASA believes the spacecraft’s scientific legacy will continue influencing Mars research and future exploration planning for decades.

President Donald Trump signed a new executive order Tuesday that asks artificial intelligence companies to share advanced AI models with the federal government before public release. The move marks the White House’s latest effort to tighten national security coordination around rapidly advancing AI systems without introducing formal licensing requirements.

The order creates a voluntary framework for AI developers to work with federal agencies on evaluating models with advanced cyber capabilities. Under the proposal, companies could provide government officials with access to certain frontier AI models up to 30 days before wider deployment.

Trump signed the order privately after delaying a planned public event with technology executives several weeks ago. At the time, he told reporters he disliked parts of the original proposal.

The White House framed the directive as a balance between accelerating AI innovation and protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Administration officials repeatedly stressed that the order does not establish mandatory government approval for AI releases.

Cybersecurity takes priority

The executive order directs multiple federal agencies to strengthen cyber defenses within 30 days. The Department of Homeland Security, through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, must issue new operational guidance to protect federal networks and critical infrastructure systems.

The administration also ordered agencies to expand AI-driven cybersecurity programs and improve access to defensive tools for state governments, utilities, hospitals, and community banks.

Another section creates a voluntary AI cybersecurity clearinghouse led by the Treasury Department. The initiative will coordinate vulnerability scanning, software patching, and threat detection efforts alongside private industry partners.

Trump’s order repeatedly positions AI as both a national security asset and a growing cyber risk. The administration argues that advanced AI tools could help defend government systems while also creating new attack surfaces for adversaries.

Frontier model reviews

A central part of the order focuses on so-called “covered frontier models,” which refer to advanced AI systems with significant cyber capabilities. Federal agencies, including the National Security Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, must develop a classified benchmarking process within 60 days. That process will assess whether a model meets the threshold for additional government review.

Companies could voluntarily ask the government to evaluate models still under development. Developers may also grant federal agencies early access to those systems before releasing them to outside partners. The order additionally allows the government to collaborate with AI companies on selecting “trusted partners” that receive early model access. However, the White House included language aimed at calming industry concerns over federal overreach.

“Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the creation of a mandatory governmental licensing, preclearance, or permitting requirement,” the order states. That provision reflects ongoing tension between Silicon Valley and Washington over how aggressively the government should regulate frontier AI systems.

Anthropic welcomed the executive order and signaled support for the White House approach. “This Executive Order is an important step in strengthening America’s leadership in AI,” the company said on X. Anthropic added that it looks forward to working with the administration on implementation efforts.

This Executive Order is an important step in strengthening America’s leadership in AI.

We look forward to collaborating with the White House to support its implementation.https://t.co/ZwDimPrp3t

— Anthropic (@AnthropicAI) June 2, 2026

Criminal AI use targeted

The order also directs the Justice Department to prioritize cases involving criminals who use AI tools to hack computer systems, steal data, or support cybercrime operations. Federal prosecutors will focus on existing laws tied to computer fraud, identity theft, and wire fraud when AI systems play a role in illegal activity.

The directive arrives during an intense global race to develop more powerful AI models. Major technology firms continue to release increasingly capable systems while governments worldwide debate how to manage security, economic, and geopolitical risks tied to the technology. Trump’s administration has largely favored lighter regulation compared with previous White House AI proposals. Tuesday’s order continues that approach while expanding federal coordination around cybersecurity and advanced AI deployment.

A modified fuel system, an extended range, and the ability to remain airborne for nearly a full day are now undergoing real-world testing. Airbus has completed the first flight of its A350-1000ULR, the aircraft selected by Qantas for its ambitious Project Sunrise program.

The test flight took place in Toulouse, France, where the aircraft spent three hours and 43 minutes in the air and climbed to more than 41,000 feet. The jet is the first of 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft ordered by Qantas and marks the beginning of a certification campaign for a variant designed to push the limits of long-haul commercial travel.

Engineering for longer range

The A350-1000ULR was developed to support nonstop flights between Sydney and London, a route spanning nearly 10,000 nautical miles. To achieve that range, Airbus engineers modified the aircraft’s structure to accommodate an additional rear center fuel tank. The extra capacity extends the aircraft’s range by roughly 1,000 nautical miles compared with a standard A350-1000.

That design change could allow the aircraft to remain airborne for as long as 22 hours, opening the door to direct flights between Australia and Europe that previously required at least one stop. During the maiden flight, Airbus crews evaluated overall aircraft performance and tested the redesigned fuel system architecture. The mission also marked the start of a two-month flight-test campaign aimed at certifying the aircraft’s modifications before it enters commercial service.

Testing critical systems

The certification effort extends beyond range and fuel capacity. Airbus will also validate a newly developed galley cooling system designed specifically for ultra-long-haul operations. The company says the system uses lighter and more efficient refrigeration equipment, helping reduce weight while supporting extended flight durations.

Engineers will also assess cabin ventilation and temperature-control performance during the testing campaign. Those systems play a critical role on flights that can keep passengers and crew onboard for nearly a full day. After certification work concludes, Airbus will retrofit the aircraft to Qantas’ final commercial specifications ahead of delivery preparations.

Meanwhile, production of the second A350-1000ULR is progressing through final assembly. Airbus said the aircraft is expected to emerge from the paint facility soon before receiving its engines and premium four-class cabin configuration. That aircraft is scheduled to become the first A350-1000ULR delivered to Qantas in April 2027.

Project Sunrise advances

Project Sunrise represents one of the aviation industry’s most ambitious efforts to eliminate distance barriers on long-haul travel. Qantas has committed to 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft for the program and has also ordered 12 standard A350-1000 jets for broader international operations.

The ultra-long-range aircraft joins a growing A350 lineup that includes the A350-900, A350-900ULR, and A350-1000 passenger variants. Airbus is also developing the A350F freighter, which is expected to complete its first flight later this year.

Demand for the A350 family remains strong. By the end of April 2026, Airbus had secured 1,579 orders from 68 customers worldwide. More than 700 A350 aircraft are currently in service with 41 operators, primarily on long-haul international routes.

For Airbus and Qantas, the successful first flight marks an important milestone as Project Sunrise moves closer to commercial operations and the prospect of nonstop Sydney-to-London travel.

Microsoft is laying the groundwork for what it believes will be the next era of computing, unveiling a new software platform designed specifically for AI-powered devices that rely on intelligent agents rather than traditional applications.

At its Build 2026 developer conference, the company introduced Project Solara, an operating system built for a new class of agent-first hardware. Instead of launching apps and navigating menus, users interact directly with AI assistants that can access information, understand context, and perform tasks across connected services.

Microsoft argues that AI agents will become the primary interface for future devices, and Project Solara is intended to provide the foundation for that transition.

AI beyond traditional apps

Unlike Microsoft’s Windows platform, Project Solara is built on Android and optimized for dedicated AI hardware. The company describes it as a flexible environment capable of supporting continuous, agent-driven experiences across multiple device categories.

To demonstrate the concept, Microsoft showcased two prototype devices that serve as reference designs for hardware partners.

The first is a desktop smart display resembling a compact home assistant screen. The device uses facial recognition for authentication and provides access to AI agents that can surface information from Microsoft 365 services. Users can review calendar schedules, access documents, and interact with workplace data through voice commands and touch controls.

Microsoft also highlighted the possibility of agents carrying out actions on a user’s behalf, reducing the need to manually navigate software interfaces.

Reference devices unveiled

The second prototype takes a different approach. Designed as a wearable badge, the device combines a touchscreen, camera, and fingerprint scanner in a compact form factor intended for mobile use.

With a single button press, users can activate an AI agent and capture information in real time. During demonstrations, Microsoft showed the badge recording conversations and generating instant transcriptions. The onboard camera also allows the agent to analyze a user’s surroundings and respond using visual context.

Microsoft does not plan to commercialize either device. Instead, the company hopes hardware manufacturers will use the concepts as starting points for their own products built on the Solara platform.

Several organizations, including AccuWeather, Best Buy, CVS Health, and Target, are expected to participate in early pilot programs involving Solara-based hardware.

New Scout assistant

Alongside Project Solara, Microsoft introduced Scout, a new AI assistant designed to bring persistent agent capabilities into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Built on the OpenClaw framework, Scout functions as an always-available digital assistant that develops an ongoing relationship with its user. Each instance can be given a custom name and personalized through continuous feedback, allowing it to adapt its behavior and preferred working style over time.

Scout operates primarily in the cloud but can work across desktop environments and web browsers. The assistant can connect with calendars, email inboxes, and other productivity tools while helping users manage schedules, organize meetings, and automate routine tasks.

Microsoft plans to offer Scout through its Frontier program. Access will require a GitHub Copilot subscription.

Together, Project Solara and Scout offer a glimpse into Microsoft’s vision of a future where AI agents become the primary gateway to digital experiences, replacing many of the app-centric workflows that define computing today.

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