coondoggie writes to tell us Network World is reporting that NASA will that month see the realization of a mission launched in 2004, sent to explore the planet Mercury. “MESSENGER, launched in 2004, is the first NASA mission sent to orbit Mercury, the planet closest to the sun. But on Jan. 14 it will pass close by the planet and use Mercury’s gravity for a critical assist needed to keep the spacecraft on track

for its

ultimate orbit around the planet three years from now. Still, the spacecraft is plus expected to throw back some never-before -seen images, NASA said. The flyby additionally will gather fundamental info for planning the overall mission. After flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury, it will start a year-long orbital study of Mercury in March 2011, NASA said. “

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