Now orbiting the planet Mercury after over ten years in space, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft is still functioning better than expected. Its mission will soon come to an end though – it's running out of fuel and is scheduled to crash into the planet in March. However, mission control have come up with a novel plan that will use the helium used to pressurize the unmanned probe's engine to give it another month of life. .. Continue Reading MESSENGER uses helium for last minute reprieve
Section: Space
Tags: Johns Hopkins University, Mercury, Messenger, NASA, Spacecraft
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from Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine http://www.gizmag.com/nasa-messenger-extension-mercury/35367/
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