NASA’s MESSENGER (Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging) spacecraft was launched in August 2004. The purpose of the mission was to study Mercury’s chemical composition, geology and magnetic field by carrying out a series of fly-bys. Using the gravitational pull of Earth and Venus, the satellite was able to finally decelerate and successfully orbit Mercury in 2011.
It was revealed during Brian Cox’s new BBC series “The Planets” why the mission was so challenging.
Professor Cox said: “Mercury is the least explored of the inner rocky worlds, because, getting to a planet in such a strange oval-shaped orbit so close to the sun, it is a tremendous challenge.
"A direct route to Mercury is impractical.
"A space craft would arrive with so much speed that it would need vast amounts of fuel to slow down and enter orbit around Mercury.
NASA sent messenger to Mercury in 2004 (Image: WIKI)
The mission took some seven years to complete (Image: BBC)
It began revealing the secrets of the most cratered planet in the Solar System in exquisite new detail
Brian Cox
“So MESSENGER controlled its trajectory by stepping from one planet to the next, using gravity to slow itself, spiralling inwards towards its target.”
The series went on to show images of
