SPACE AND COSMIC RAY PHYSICS SEMINAR

University of Maryland
Atlantic Building, Room 2400 4:30 PM Monday, November 5, 2007
Coffee, Tea & Snacks 4:15-4:30 PM

Ralph L. McNutt, Jr.
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

MESSENGER Results from Venus Flyby 2

The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging - MESSENGER - spacecraft is well into its mission to Mercury. Key to eventual orbital insertion there are a series of "gravity assists." The most recent, and the second at Venus, took place in June 2007. This close approach not only enabled the required assist, but also allowed for observations of Venus with the full MESSENGER instrument payload in coordination with measurements made by Venus Express. Some of those results will be described as well as how they have helped with detailed planning of the first Mercury flyby this coming January.