Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja.....3892s&link_type=abstract
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #3892
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
The MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft will fly by Mercury in 2007 and 2008 and will orbit Mercury for one Earth year beginning in April 2009. Orbital observations of Mercury promise answers to several critical questions regarding the formation and evolution of all of the terrestrial planets. Determining the composition of Mercury, with its anomalously high ratio of metal to silicate, will provide a unique window on the processes by which planetesimals in the primitive solar nebula accreted to form planets. Documenting Mercury's global geological history will elucidate the role of terrestrial planet size as a governor of magmatic and tectonic history. Characterizing Mercury's magnetic field and the size and state of Mercury's core will advance our understanding of the energetics and lifetimes of magnetic dynamos in solar system bodies. Determining the volatile species in Mercury's polar deposits, exosphere, and magnetosphere will provide insight into volatile inventories, sources, and sinks in the inner solar system. The MESSENGER payload will include seven instruments optimized to address the key scientific questions: an imaging system with narrow- and wide-angle cameras, a combined gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, an X-ray spectrometer, an atmospheric and surface composition spectrometer, a magnetometer, a laser altimeter, and an energetic particle and plasma spectrometer. During the two flybys of Mercury, regions unexplored by Mariner 10 will be seen for the first time, and new data will be gathered on Mercury's exosphere, magnetosphere, and surface composition. During the orbital phase of the mission, MESSENGER will complete global mapping and the detailed characterization of the exosphere, magnetosphere, surface, and interior. The spacecraft and instrument payload are currently undergoing integration and testing, and the mission is on schedule for launch in March 2004.
Gold Robert E.
McNutt Ralph L. Jr.
MESSENGER Science Team
Solomon Stanley C.
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