Mercury Probe Lift-Off Delayed
August 2, 2004
NASA chiefs today delayed the launch of the space agency’s Pounds 234million probe to Mercury due to bad weather, writes Paul Sims.
The Mercury Messenger was set to begin its seven-year, five- billion-mile journey from Cape Canaveral, Florida, early this morning. The space agency is now hoping another weather window will open up so the probe can lift off tomorrow.
When it arrives at the sun’s closest companion planet, the probe will orbit for a year, exploring its atmosphere and structure.