An illustration of NASA's twin ESCAPADE probes in orbit around Mars. (Image credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center) A space saga is underway, a celestial long and winding road that may also have consequences for future settlers firmly planted on the Red Planet.

The space agency lost communication with the MAVEN probe (short for Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) on Dec. 6, and efforts to re-establish a connection have been futile.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft on board is seen at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.