A MESSENGER From Mercury—Principal Investigator Sean Solomon Returns

MESSENGER is the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging mission that has been orbiting the innermost planet for more than three-and-half-years. Principal Investigator Sean Solomon returns with a status report as the mission enters its final phase. Emily Lakdawalla tells of a new geological mystery on Mars. Bill Nye reveals new technology that may make space easier and cheaper. There’s a Planetary Radio t-shirt waiting for the winner of this week’s What’s Up space trivia contest.

Related Links:

• Complete Conversation with MESSENGER PI Sean Solomon
• The Puzzle of Gale Crater’s Basaltic Sedimentary Rocks
• Next Falcon 9 Launch Could See First Stage Platform Landing
• MESSENGER Mission
• Sean Solomon
• Random Space Fact Video Series

This week's prize is a Planetary Radio v2.1 T-shirt.

This week's question:

What constellation winds its way between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, or the Big and Little Dippers?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, November 4, at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

Who discovered comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

What is the last full year that there were fewer than five working spacecraft at Mars?

Answer:

There were only four active spacecraft at Mars in 2011: Mars Express, Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Opportunity.