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NASA Spacecraft Set to Shine Spotlight on Mercury

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the long-lead-time dept.

coondoggie writes to tell us Network World is reporting that NASA will this month see the realization of a mission launched in 2004, sent to explore the planet Mercury. "MESSENGER, launched in 2004, is the first NASA mission sent to orbit Mercury, the planet closest to the sun. But on Jan. 14 it will pass close by the planet and use Mercury's gravity for a critical assist needed to keep the spacecraft on track for its ultimate orbit around the planet three years from now. Still, the spacecraft is also expected to throw back some never-before -seen images, NASA said. The flyby also will gather essential data for planning the overall mission. After flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury, it will start a year-long orbital study of Mercury in March 2011, NASA said. "

3 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. SLASHDOT SUX0RZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    _0_
    \''\
    '=o='
    .|!|
    .| |
         let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

  2. but why? by ILuvRamen · · Score: -1, Troll

    Isn't the sun an awfully big flashlight that's already shining on it? I mean if it's closer to Earth it must be pretty damn bright there. Why not just wait until what you wanna look like is facing the sun...then look at it lol. A giant space flashlight seems like a waste of much needed power on a spacecraft when you've got the sun right there.

    --
    Google's Super Secret Search Algorithm: SELECT @search_results FROM internet WHERE @search_results = 'good'
  3. Re:first post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    i hope your whole family gets mugged and raped by negroes