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Which mission first mapped the entire surface of Mercury?
Quick Answer
NASA’s MESSENGER was the first spacecraft to map Mercury’s entire surface from orbit. It entered Mercury orbit in 2011 and operated there until 2015.
The Full Story
MESSENGER became the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury and map the planet globally. It entered orbit in March 2011 after multiple gravity assists from Earth, Venus and Mercury itself. Over its mission, it returned detailed images and measurements of Mercury’s surface, magnetic field and exosphere. The data transformed scientists’ understanding of the smallest planet in the Solar System.
Key Facts
1.Entered Mercury orbit: 2011
2.Mission ended: 2015
3.First global orbital mapping of Mercury
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The first full portrait of the Solar System’s smallest planet."
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