Exploring Mercury: NASA's Messenger Mission

The MESSENGER mission, part of NASA's Discovery program, aims to explore Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. It will take seven years and 15 loops around the Sun to reach its orbit. The mission will provide unprecedented data on Mercury's surface, core, and magnetic field, using advanced technology and instruments. MESSENGER will perform flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury to adjust its trajectory. The mission faces unique challenges due to Mercury's proximity to the Sun, but it promises to expand our understanding of rocky planets.

What is the primary goal of the MESSENGER mission?

• To search for extraterrestrial life

• To investigate the rocky planets, including Mercury

• To study the Sun's atmosphere

• To explore the outer planets

Which technological feature helps MESSENGER withstand extreme temperatures near the Sun?

• A heat-resistant metal body

• A cooling liquid system

• A ceramic fiber cloth sun shade

• A reflective mirror surface

How many scientific instruments are equipped on the MESSENGER spacecraft?

• Nine

• Eleven

• Seven

• Five

What is the purpose of the gravitational assists during MESSENGER's journey?

• To guide the spacecraft towards Mercury's orbit

• To collect data from other planets

• To slow down the spacecraft

• To increase the spacecraft's speed

Which program is the MESSENGER mission a part of?

• NASA's Mars Exploration Program

• NASA's Voyager Program

• NASA's Discovery Program

• NASA's Apollo Program