NASA: Government shutdown won't stop MAVEN launch to Mars

Planetary scientists are breathing a sigh of relief as NASA’s MAVEN mission to Mars has been cleared for takeoff. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission, slated for launch as early as Nov. 18, had been put on hold after this week's government shutdown, raising fears that the spacecraft would miss the launch window and be grounded for years.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/FUQslUBQrj8/la-sci-sn-mars-maven-nasa-launch-government-shutdown-released-20131003,0,2725524.story