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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on January 19, 2011, 04:10

Title: Mercury Mapper Is Really Hot Stuff
Post by: sam on January 19, 2011, 04:10

Quote

Most of us have heard the expression “hot enough to cook eggs on the sidewalk”, but have we really thought about what kind of technology it would take to send a probe to Mercury? Just what kind of tests would we need to do to ensure a spacecraft could endure the kind of temperatures present while in orbit of the inner planet? It’s going to take more than a microwave set on high to find out…

http://www.universetoday.com/82607/mercury-mapper-is-really-hot-stuff/

Title: Re: Mercury Mapper Is Really Hot Stuff
Post by: Clive on January 19, 2011, 09:44

I think it's another 3 years to launch date but it will come around soon enough.  I've just looked it up and it is expected to arrive at Mercury during 2020.  The Messenger probe was a great success and I'm certain that BepiColombo will build on that.