2004-08-03 launch

Messenger — launch

Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

Mission: Messenger

• Space transportation

MESSENGER was a NASA robotic space probe that orbited the planet Mercury between 2011 and 2015, studying Mercury's chemical composition, geology, and magnetic field.

2011-03-18 orbital insertion

MESSENGER enters orbit around Mercury

Category: Mission Operations and Milestones › Type: Orbit insertion

Mission: MESSENGER

MESSENGER entered Mercury orbit at 00:45 UT.

2015-04-30 mission end

MESSENGER impacts Mercury

MESSENGER struck Mercury at 19:26 UT after exhausting its propellant.