US space probe glides over Mercury in first visit since '75

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US space probe soared over Mercury on Monday on a mission to unlock the mysteries of the smallest planet of the solar system which was last visited in 1975, NASA said.

The MESSENGER craft flew by Mercury at around 1900 GMT, some 200 kilometers (124 miles) above the closest planet to the sun, to take up-close pictures of uncharted terrain, the US space agency said.

About 55 percent of planet's surface is unknown.

The probe will fly by Mercury two more times, in October 2008 and September 2009, before returning for a final sweep in 2011 when it will enter its orbit for a year-long study of the planet.

The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft, which was launched in 2004, is expected to begin...