Mercury mission set for launch
Without much fanfair and publicity NASA scientist are preparing Messenger spacecraft, to be launched next week This $427 million Messenger mission will cost less than half what a shuttle mission would cost, if we were capable of doing one. Cost benefit per knowledge and new science learned seems to be a bargain in comparison. Although its not getting the publicity that the Mars and its rovers, or Saturn and its newly arrived sentry, Cassini recieve, it promises every bit the breakthrough and excitement.Remarkably, the only thing between the probe's room-temperature science instruments and the blistering sun and pizza-oven heat will be a handmade ceramic-cloth quilt just one-quarter of an inch thick.
"If it doesn't stay toward the sun, it will fry everything," said Neal Bachtell, mechanical technician and master quilter.
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The Messenger spacecraft, to be launched next week, will be blasted by up to 700-degree heat as it orbits the tiny planet closest to the sun -- so close that it would be as though 11 suns were beating down on Earth.
Remarkably, the only thing between the probe's room-temperature science instruments and the blistering sun and pizza-oven heat will be a handmade ceramic-cloth quilt just one-quarter of an inch thick.
"If it doesn't stay toward the sun, it will fry everything," said Neal Bachtell, mechanical technician and master quilter.
Estimated arrival time: March 2011.
posted by Liberty @ 9:28 PM
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