A pioneering NASA spacecraft is the first to visit Mercury in almost 33 years, soaring over the planet to explore and snap close-up images of never-before-seen terrain. These findings could open new theories and answer old questions in the study of the solar system.The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft, called MESSENGER, is the first mission sent to orbit the planet closest to our sun. Before that orbit begins in 2011, the probe will make three flights past the small planet, skimming as close as 124 miles above Mercury's cratered, rocky surface. MESSENGER's cameras and other sophisticated, high-technology instruments will collect more than 1,200 images and make other observations during this approach, encounter and departure. It will make the first up-close measurements since Mariner 10 spacecraft's third and final flyby on March 16, 1975.
3 comentários:
Mais um passo para o conhecimento do nosso universo, do nosso sistema solar, e até do nosso próprio planeta.
Parece que se voltou novamente a apostar na Exploração Espacial, que esteve quase parada nos últimos 20 anos...
E ainda bem... da maneira que a raça humana anda a vandalizar o planeta, quem sabe quando vamos precisar de "fugir" daqui...
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