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November 19, 2013

NASA launches spacecraft to study Mars atmosphere
Cape Canaveral (AFP) Nov 18, 2013
NASA on Monday launched its unmanned MAVEN spacecraft toward Mars to study the Red Planet's atmosphere for clues as to why Earth's neighbor lost its warmth and water over time. The white Atlas V 401 rocket carrying the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) orbiter blasted off on schedule at 1:28 pm (1828 GMT). The liftoff of the $671 million spacecraft, followed by a successful separation from the rocket less than an hour later, kicked off the 10-month journey to the Red Planet. "Th ... read more

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