NASA Mission to Mercury Nearing Its End

Surface of planet Mercury
(Image: Science/AAAS)
For more images and thumbmail background information,
visit: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/multi04.html

One of America's great gifts to the world is its space exploration program. Among its accomplishments was the Messenger spacecraft, the first vessel to orbit the planet Mercury. Messenger has transmitted invaluable data about the first planet from the Sun. The information, according to a recent Scientific American article, has reshaped concepts about Mercury. These developments are exciting, and one would understand why NASA would have an urge to take a victory lap in recognition of a job well done.

The greater triumph, though, is the scientists' dedication to answering questions about the solar system that have been around since the time of the Pharaohs. Nailing down "truth" is a complicated activity in any field; the Messenger mission is a reminder that these endeavors are more than worth it.