MESSENGER Spacecraft Prepares for Final Pass by Mercury
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 15:21
in Astronomy & Space
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft known as MESSENGER will fly by Mercury for the third and final time on Sept. 29. The spacecraft will pass less than 142 miles above the planet's rocky surface for a final gravity assist that will enable it to enter Mercury's orbit in 2011.