NASA to launch mission to probe Mars atmosphere

NASA to launch mission to probe Mars atmosphere

NASA is set to launch its first mission to examine the upper atmosphere of Mars in unprecedented detail.

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission (MAVEN). to he launched on November 18 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, will examine specific processes on Mars that led to the loss of much of its atmosphere.

Data and analysis could tell planetary scientists the history of climate change on the Red Planet and provide further information on the history of planetary habitability.

"The MAVEN mission is a significant step towards unraveling the planetary puzzle about Mars" past and present environments." said John Grunsfeld. associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. "The knowledge we gain will build on past and current missions examining Mars and will help inform future missions to send humans to Mars." said Grunsfeld.