The Missions to Mercury

This article retells the events that lead to the launch of the MESSENGER spacecraft to Mercury from Florida in 2004. Along with the many advances were many challenges. Reading this article... See More

This article retells the events that lead to the launch of the MESSENGER spacecraft to Mercury from Florida in 2004. Along with the many advances were many challenges. Reading this article helps put what is now history into perspective and shows how scientists solve problems. This article is an excellent source for an interdisciplinary learning experience between social studies and science. It is also a great source for using timelines to show advances in technology.

Messenger Mission to Mercury An Introdcution

If you are looking for a way to introduce your students and get some great background information to the Messenger Spacecraft mission to Mercury, this article, written by Clark R. Chapman , ... See More

If you are looking for a way to introduce your students and get some great background information to the Messenger Spacecraft mission to Mercury, this article, written by Clark R. Chapman , an institute scientist and member of the MESSENGER Science Team at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, would be a great choice Clark Chapman discusses what we know about Mercury from past space mission and observations to what NASA hopes to discover using the instruments onboard the Messenger and the crafting of a space vehicle able to withstand the harsh environment so close to the Sun Another point from the article: "Learning more about our own Mercury may be an easier approach to understanding how planets form than trying to decipher the immensely distant planetary systems around other stars. " Check it out !