NASA uses emergency exception to save Mars mission from government shutdown

Amid all the doubt and uncertainty surrounding the federal government shutdown, there’s at least one piece of good news this week: NASA’s plans to send a probe to Mars on Nov. 18 are figuratively cleared for liftoff. Originally thought to be sidelined following news of NASA’s budget freeze, the $650 million Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution orbiter (MAVEN) is mission is on track after all, according to its principal investigator Bruce Jakosky of the University of Colorado. If Maven ha...