NASA Launches Robotic Explorer to Mars - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

NASA Launches Robotic Explorer to Mars

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CAPE CANAVERAL, FL- NASA's newest robotic explorer, Maven, is on its way to Mars.


This is NASA's 21st mission to Mars since the 1960s, but it's the first one devoted to studying the Martian upper atmosphere.

Scientists want to know why Mars went from being warm and wet during its first billion years, to the cold and dry place it is today.  The early Martian atmosphere was thick enough to hold water and possibly support microbial life, but much of that atmosphere may have been lost to space, eroded by the sun.  

Maven may solve this case of mysterious climate change.


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