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What We Know
Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, is a
world of extremes. With an equatorial diameter
of about 3,031 miles (4,879 km), it is the small-
est of the inner rocky planets that include Mars,
Earth and Venus. Of these four, it has the
thinnest atmosphere.
2) What is the geological history of Mercury? Artist concept of the MESSENGER spacecraft.
2
The Payload at practically the speed of light) and radioac-
tive elements (GRNS specific)
MESSENGER will consist of the following instru-
ments: • Measure fluorescence in low-energy X-rays
stimulated by solar gamma rays and high-
Magnetometer (MAG): A shared development
energy X-rays (XRS specific)
between NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
and The Johns Hopkins University Applied • Map the abundance of elements on the sur-
Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), MAG will face, revealing chemical provinces within
Mercury’s crust
• Map Mercury’s global magnetic field and
determine its origin • Determine whether Mercury’s polar caps
contain hydrogen in water ice (GRNS specif-
• Determine the nature of any crustal magnetic
ic)
field anomalies
GRNS can take measurements up to almost
• Map the structure of Mercury’s magnetos-
4 inches (10 centimeters) below the surface,
phere
while the XRS can measure the very top of the
• Ascertain whether terrestrial-style magnetic surface. Data from the two instruments will indi-
storms occur on Mercury cate what has happened on Mercury’s surface
since its formation, allowing scientists to better
• Help discover how Mercury’s magnetosphere understand the development of the inner solar
responds to large solar events system and the volatile materials in it.
The MAG can measure magnetic fields up to Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA): Developed by
10 million times weaker than the Earth’s field. Goddard, MLA will -
Scientists will use the maps and analyze the
data mathematically to make inferences about • Produce highly accurate measurements of
the nature of the field and its source. Results Mercury’s topography (surface features)
from MAG will assist in determining if the mag-
• Map the topography and thickness of the
netic field is, indeed, generated by a partly fluid
polar caps
core. This information would explain a great deal
about how terrestrial planets like Earth can gen- • Measure the planet’s libration to determine
erate a magnetic field. In addition, understand- the presence or absence of a liquid outer
ing how the magnetic field is constantly chang- core
ing in response to activity on the Sun will help
scientists understand the Earth’s own field. • Determine the size of the core and how
much of it is solid (when MLA data is com-
Gamma-Ray Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS) bined with the measurement of the gravity
and X-ray Spectrometer (XRS): Developed by field)
JHU/APL, GRNS and XRS will help Goddard
scientists - • Provide distance measurements from the
spacecraft to the planet
• Measure emissions from gamma-ray fluores-
cence (light emitted during absorption of MLA is the fourth laser altimeter to visit a
radiation) stimulated by cosmic rays (ener- planet and it is a quarter the size and mass 15.4
getic particles traveling through the Universe pounds (7 kilograms) of the one flown to Mars.
3
Not only will MLA help determine the sequence Mission design
of processes, which have shaped Mercury’s sur-
• Class: NASA’s Discovery program
face, it will help scientists understand the state
of its core. If the interior of Mercury is entirely • Mission: Solar System Exploration
frozen, the MLA’s libration measurement will be
smaller than it would be if the outer core is • Launch vehicle: Delta II 7925H
molten. The topographical map will provide infor-
mation critical to understanding the sequence of • Proposed Launch date: March 2004, Cape
tectonic deformation (the structure and move- Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
ment of a planet’s crust), volcanism, and crater-
• Venus flyby: June 2004, March 2006 (gravity
ing, which has shaped Mercury’s surface.
assists will help get MESSENGER into
• Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS): Mercury’s orbital plane and closer to
Provided by JHU/APL, MDIS will map the Mercury’s orbital period)
landforms, surface variations, and topography
• Mercury flyby: July 2007, April 2008 (gravity
from stereo imaging.
assists and science measurements of
• Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Mercury)
Composition Spectrometer (MASCS):
• Mercury orbit: April 2009 – April 2010
Provided by the University of Colorado
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space
Physics, MASCS will measure abundances of Spacecraft design
atmospheric gasses and detect minerals in
• Passive thermal design requires no high-tem-
surface materials.
perature electronics
• Energetic Particle and Plasma Spectrometer
• Dual-sided high temperature solar array
(EPPS): Provided by JHU/APL, EPPS will
reduces cell temperatures
measure the composition, spatial distribution,
energy and time-variability of charged parti- • Lightweight thermal shade protects instru-
cles within and surrounding Mercury’s mag- ments on science deck facing Mercury
netosphere. In addition, the University of
Michigan is providing the Fast Imaging • Fixed phased-array antennas
Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) head for the
EPPS. • Low-mass, integrated propulsion and com-
posite structure
• Radio Science (RS): Built and designed by
JHU/APL, RS will measure Mercury’s mass
MESSENGER Mission web site
distribution.
For more information about this mission, visit:
http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/