Missions to Mercury
Mission |
Country |
Launch Date |
Arrival Date |
Type |
Encounter
Characteristics |
MESSENGER
(MErcury Surface,
Space ENvironment,
GEochemistry, and Ranging) |
USA |
August 2004 |
March 2011 |
Flybys and Orbit |
Will study Mercury from orbit for one year |
|
USA |
November 3, 1973 |
March 29, 1974 |
Flyby |
10,000 images covering 57% of the planet
Currently in Solar Orbit |
An Overview of Space Exploration
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Mercury has very little atmosphere. The planet's small size means that its gravity is too weak to hold down a normal atmosphere. There is a very thin atmosphere around the planet. Mercury's thin atmosphere
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