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                    NASA's Messenger Will Crash Into Mercury

   by George Putic

   The first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, the closest planet to our Sun,
   will run out of fuel and crash on its surface Thursday, ending its
   11-year mission.

   The half-ton orbiter known by its acronym [1]MESSENGER was launched in
   August 2004 on a mission to study Mercury's chemical composition,
   geology and magnetic field.
   MESSENGER spiraled through the inner solar system before reaching its
   destination. Inserting MESSENGER into orbit proved to be a challenging
   task, due to the sun's gravity, intense heat and effects of solar
   radiation pressure.
   WATCH: NASA video MESSENGER flies over Mercury

   ''
   Among other scientific data, MESSENGER discovered the presence of
   frozen water in deep craters sitting in permanent shadow, as well as a
   mysterious dark material that could consist of organic compounds.
   During its last month in orbit, MESSENGER sent back to NASA the best
   high-resolution images so far of Mercury's desolate, moonlike surface.
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   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/nasas-messenger-crashes-into-mercury/
   2743134.html

References

   1. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/messenger/main/index.html
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/nasas-messenger-crashes-into-mercury/2743134.html