NASA MARS MAVEN MISSION IN ORBIT

The latest Nasa Mrs satellite  Maven has arrived successfully in orbit around Mars, after a journey from earth lasting ten months:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29253788

Maven's primary purpose is to study Mar's high atmosphere to try to understand the processes that have caused the loss of most of its atmosphere. The Martian atmosphere is composed mostly of carbon dioxide, with a surface pressure only 0.6% of the Earth's surface pressure. Unlike earth, Mars lacks a global magnetic field able to deflect energetic particles from the Sun. The intention is to measure the rates at which different molecules in the atmosphere are being lost today, distinguishing between the various processes responsible.

Comment: Another exciting step forward in the scientific exploration of Mars.