On August 3. 2004. the MESSENGER spacecraft began its 4.9 billion mile journey to the planet orbiting closest to the sun.
Lifting off aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Florida.
MESSENGER began its mission to unravel the mysteries of planet Mercury.
AFTER three flybys of our Solar System's smallest planet. MESSENGER became the first spacecraft
to ever enter Mercury's orbit in March. 2011.
Thus began a yearlong science orbit focusing on collecting data on the composition and structure
of Mercury's crust. its topography and geologic history. Also to be studied is the nature of its thin atmosphere
and active magnetosphere. and the makeup of its core and polar materials.
MESSENGER has delivered its first image since entering Mercury's orbit.
It was taken on March 29th as the spacecraft sailed high above Mercury's south pole. and provides a glimpse of
portions of Mercury's surface not previously seen by spacecraft.