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.

Describe the innovative technology used in MESSENGER to protect it from extreme temperatures.

What role do the flybys of Earth and Venus play in the MESSENGER mission?