Messenger's mission to Mercury

Messenger's mission to Mercury MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging Earth Venus Mission to investigate Mercury's: O density O geological history O magnetic field core structure * Aug 3, 2004 MESSENGER launch Aug 2, 2005 Earth flyby Oct 24, 2006 1st Venus flyby * June 5, 2007 2nd Venus flyby poles exosphere (upper atmosphere) Jan 14, 2008 1st Mercury flyby Oct 6, 2008 2nd Mercury flyby Sept 29, 2009 3rd Mercury flyby Mars Earth Venus MERCURY The Sun * March 13, 2011 Mercury orbit insertion ATP 301008 Source: John Hopkins UUniversity Anibal MaizCaceres