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The mission of "Messenger" in the orbit of Mercury comes to an end
American automatic interplanetary station "Messenger" was launched from Earth to Mercury 3 August 2004. March 18, 2011 Mercury station reached.
After more than 10 years in space and nearly four years in the orbit of Mercury, the mission of "Messenger" will soon come to an end. Supply of fuel at the end.
January 21, AMC will reduce the height of up to 25 kilometers, which is exposed to high temperatures of 185 degrees Celsius. The shaded side of the AMC will heat radiation of the surface of Mercury. This is the melting point of the solder.
January 21 will be included on motor 120 seconds to raise the orbit to 80 kilometers.
New Heights will provide unique data on the craters, the content, the structure of the surface and the gravitational field of Mercury. Initially, it was assumed that the mission will end in March, but may be able to extend the mission for a month, using helium displaces fuel and oxidizer tanks of, for a small correction trajectory.
Source: geektimes.ru/post/243943/
After more than 10 years in space and nearly four years in the orbit of Mercury, the mission of "Messenger" will soon come to an end. Supply of fuel at the end.
January 21, AMC will reduce the height of up to 25 kilometers, which is exposed to high temperatures of 185 degrees Celsius. The shaded side of the AMC will heat radiation of the surface of Mercury. This is the melting point of the solder.
January 21 will be included on motor 120 seconds to raise the orbit to 80 kilometers.
New Heights will provide unique data on the craters, the content, the structure of the surface and the gravitational field of Mercury. Initially, it was assumed that the mission will end in March, but may be able to extend the mission for a month, using helium displaces fuel and oxidizer tanks of, for a small correction trajectory.
Source: geektimes.ru/post/243943/
