NASA sends a MESSENGER

摘要

With a successful launch behind them and a long cruise ahead, MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) mission operators are checking out the systems on the Mercury-bound spaceqraft. Since liftoff on August 3, the operations team has checked out the spacecraft's communications system, getting strong signals from its antennas through NASA's Deep Space Network. After checking the guidance and control system, the team will move on to some of the spacecraft's science instruments. MESSENGER was tentatively scheduled to carry out its first trajectory correction maneuver in late August, firing its medium-sized thrusters to adjust the course that will bring it back to Earth for a gravity-assist flyby next summer.