Scientists are gearing up for NASA's next spacecraft to Mars, an orbiter equipped to probe the Martian upper atmosphere for clues to how the Red Planet's atmosphere has thinned and how Mars' climate has evolved over time.
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission, called MAVEN for short, will address the question of where the planet's once-thicker atmosphere -- and long ago flowing water -- went. Playing the role of detective, the spacecraft is expected to deliver puzzle pieces that will help scientists discern the astrobiological potential for life on Mars in the past, and perhaps even today.
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