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NASA Set To Launch Probe To Mercury

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the careful-he's-a-quick-one dept.

antispam_ben writes "CNN is reporting the upcoming Messenger mission to Mercury is set to launch August 2. The spacecraft uses a combination of technologies (insulation, Peltier devices, careful design and orbit, always keeping the shield side toward the Sun) to keep its electronics at room temperature."

2 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. Can't we have just one place? by Paulrothrock · · Score: 0, Troll
    The spacecraft team wanted to leave a flag on Mercury to show, for all time, that Americans were there.

    Yes. Because space belongs to America.

    I know it's a pretty big accomplishment, but can't we have one spot in the solar system without our flag on it? Maybe? I mean, it's not like we could colonize Mercury. Could we maybe fly the thing into the sun?

    --
    I'm in the hole of the broadband donut.
    1. Re:Can't we have just one place? by Atzanteol · · Score: 0, Troll

      We did the work, spent the money, etc. You want we should put a friggin french flag there or something?

      You may not have pride in your country, but some of us still have pride enough in ours.

      --
      "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"

      - Charles Darwin