MAVEN launch preparations resume
Posted: Fri, Oct 4, 2013, 8:12 AM ET (1212 GMT)
Work has resumed on a NASA Mars mission slated for launch next month after officials determined the mission was exempt from the federal government shutdown. Preparations of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) for launch in mid-November were put on hold Tuesday when then federal government shut down. An extended lapse, project officials warned, could have prevented the spacecraft from launching in a window that is open only through December 7, delaying it until 2016. However, the mission's principal investigator said Thursday he was notified NASA was exempting the mission from the shutdown because of the role the spacecraft will play as a communications relay for current and future Mars landers. NASA guidelines for the government shutdown exempted those activities required for the operation of ongoing missions. The mission, for now, remains on track for a launch on November 18.
Work has resumed on a NASA Mars mission slated for launch next month after officials determined the mission was exempt from the federal government shutdown. Preparations of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) for launch in mid-November were put on hold Tuesday when then federal government shut down. An extended lapse, project officials warned, could have prevented the spacecraft from launching in a window that is open only through December 7, delaying it until 2016. However, the mission's principal investigator said Thursday he was notified NASA was exempting the mission from the shutdown because of the role the spacecraft will play as a communications relay for current and future Mars landers. NASA guidelines for the government shutdown exempted those activities required for the operation of ongoing missions. The mission, for now, remains on track for a launch on November 18.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Blue Origin describes plans for increased New Glenn launch rates
Posted: Sat, Oct 17 11:41 AM ET (1541 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 21
Lunar Link complete and ready for a new adventure
ESA — 6:58 am ET (1058 GMT) ‘European Starlink’ to be rolled out across Arctic
The Daily Telegraph — 6:57 am ET (1057 GMT) NASA administrator, Space Force General, talk Artemis and Golden Dome during UND visit
Univ. of North Dakota — 6:50 am ET (1050 GMT) Space Force aims to beef up guardian presence for Centcom and other combatant commands
Defensescoop — 6:50 am ET (1050 GMT) Iridium Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results
PR Newswire — 6:48 am ET (1048 GMT) |
