Answer: The purpose of the MESSENGER MISSION was
Step-by-step explanation:
The MESSENGER mission, also known as Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging, had a specific purpose and objectives. Its main goal was to study Mercury, the smallest planet in our solar system, and gather important information about its geology, magnetic field, and chemical composition.
Led by Principal Investigator Sean Solomon, MESSENGER was the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury. The mission was launched to explore and understand the characteristics of the planet, which had not been extensively studied before.
Over the course of 10 years, 8 months, and 28 days, MESSENGER collected valuable data about Mercury's surface, the planet's thin atmosphere, and its magnetic field. By studying the planet's geology, scientists were able to gain insights into the planet's formation and evolution.
MESSENGER's findings provided significant contributions to our understanding of Mercury, including the discovery of water ice at the planet's poles, evidence of volcanic activity, and the presence of a global magnetic field. This mission expanded our knowledge of this enigmatic planet and helped to further our understanding of the solar system as a whole.
In summary, the MESSENGER mission was designed to study Mercury and gather information about its geology, magnetic field, and chemical composition. It successfully orbited the planet for over a decade, providing valuable insights into the characteristics and history of Mercury.