Messenger

Posted on by data-art
MissionDate/TimeEvent
messenger2004.08.03.02.16.00Launch
messenger2005.08.02.19.13.00Earth Fly-By. Closest approach above Central China (2,348 km)
messenger2005.12.12.11.30.00Deep Space Maneuvre 1
messenger2006.10.24.08.34.00Venus Flyby 1 (2987km alt.)
messenger2007.06.05.23.08.19Venus Flyby 2 (338km alt.)
messenger2008.01.14.19.04.39Mercury Flyby 1 (201km alt.)
messenger2008.09.29.12.00.00Upload of flyby sequence to Messenger
messenger2008.10.02.21.47.00Start execution of stored command load.
messenger2008.10.03.03.30.00First of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.03.07.10.00Pre-Encounter Magnetometer calibration. Spacecraft roll about Y-axis. Combined observation with MASCS.
messenger2008.10.03.16.00.00Second of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.03.20.45.00Start continuous Deep-Space Network (DSN) coverage of encounter.
messenger2008.10.03.21.30.00Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) cryogenic cooler is enabled prior to encounter.
messenger2008.10.04.00.02.00X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) electronic cooler is enabled prior to encounter.
messenger2008.10.04.04.00.00Third of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.04.12.00.00Fourth of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.04.20.00.00Fifth of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.04.23.03.00Complete GRS cool-down and configure for science gathering mode.
messenger2008.10.05.04.00.00Sixth of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.05.12.00.00Seventh of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.05.18.00.00Last of eight Optical Navigation images taken on approach to Mercury.
messenger2008.10.05.20.32.51Enters Mercury Hillsphere
messenger2008.10.05.22.03.00Turn to start encounter imaging sequence. Beacon-only tracking of satellite begins.
messenger2008.10.05.22.45.00Begin scans of Mercury solar tail with MASCS.
messenger2008.10.06.02.40.00Configure Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) to burst- data collection mode.
messenger2008.10.06.02.40.00Configure Magnetometer. GRS and Neutron Spectrometer to high sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.03.00.00Configure Energetic Particle Spectrometer (EPS) to high sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.04.10.00Start approach scattered light sequence using wide angle camera (WAC).
messenger2008.10.06.05.40.00Configure XRS to high sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.07.11.00Collect approach full-color image using WAC.
messenger2008.10.06.07.40.00Configure GRS and NS for high sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.07.42.00Start approach mosaic image sequence using narrow-angle camera (NAC).
messenger2008.10.06.07.45.00Configure Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) for science-gathering mode.
messenger2008.10.06.08.25.00MESSENGER passes into shadow of Mercury (eclipse entry).
messenger2008.10.06.08.26.00MASCS: Complete scans of Mercury solar tail. start night exospheric observation sequence
messenger2008.10.06.08.27.00Start spacecraft slew sequence to point instrument deck at planet.
messenger2008.10.06.08.36.00Start Mercury surface laser ranging using MLA.
messenger2008.10.06.08.40.21Mercury closest approach (CA) point (200 km above surface)
messenger2008.10.06.08.42.00MESSENGER passes out of shadow of Mercury (eclipse exit).
messenger2008.10.06.08.45.00Start dayside surface scan with MASCS.
messenger2008.10.06.08.48.00Start focused color departure mosaic image sequence using WAC. Perform combined observations with MLA and MASCS.
messenger2008.10.06.08.50.00Complete Mercury surface laser ranging using MLA.
messenger2008.10.06.08.55.00Start dayside low-exospheric observation sequence with MASCS.
messenger2008.10.06.08.56.00Start high-resolution image strip sequence across Mercury surface using NAC. Conduct combined observations with MASCS.
messenger2008.10.06.08.57.00Start dayside high-exospheric observation sequence with MASCS.
messenger2008.10.06.09.01.00Start high-resolution image mosaic sequence covering northern hemisphere using NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.09.23.00Start full-color high resolution image mosaic sequence covering entire visible surface.
messenger2008.10.06.09.37.00Begin instrument co-registration sequence #1 using WAC.
messenger2008.10.06.09.38.00Begin instrument co-registration sequence #2 using WAC.
messenger2008.10.06.09.40.00Begin instrument pointing alignment sequence using WAC.
messenger2008.10.06.09.40.00Configure NS for medium sensitivity mode. GRS for low sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.09.46.00Start first high-resolution image mosaic sequence covering entire visible surface using NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.09.59.00Start second high-resolution image mosaic sequence covering entire visible surface using NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.10.09.00Take first departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.10.12.00Start first departure scattered-light sequence using WAC.
messenger2008.10.06.10.40.00Take second departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.11.40.00Configure XRS to normal sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.11.40.00Take third departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.13.09.00Take fourth departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.13.12.00Start second departure scattered-light sequence using WAC.
messenger2008.10.06.13.38.00Start departure movie sequence using NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.14.40.00Configure FIPS instrument to Normal data collection mode.
messenger2008.10.06.14.41.00Configure EPS. Magnetometer and NS to low sensitivity mode.
messenger2008.10.06.18.10.00Take fifth departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2008.10.06.20.40.00Configure GRS to non-science mode. Start cooler set point test sequence.
messenger2008.10.06.20.47.35Exits Mercury Hillsphere
messenger2008.10.07.04.38.00Complete departure movie sequence using NAC.
messenger2008.10.07.04.40.00Take sixth departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2008.10.07.04.50.00Turn back to Earth following encounter. Regain telemetry from spacecraft.
messenger2008.10.07.05.43.00Start on-board stored-data playback from spacecraft.
messenger2008.10.07.06.30.00Complete playback of high-priority images.
messenger2008.10.07.08.22.00Complete playback of all high-priority non-imaging science data through 21 hours after CA.
messenger2008.10.07.11.40.00Disable XRS gas proportional counter sensor (GPCS).
messenger2008.10.07.12.27.00Complete playback of all medium-priority non-imaging science data through 2 hours and 20 minutes after CA.
messenger2008.10.08.01.06.00Configure GRS for post-encounter sensor annealing.
messenger2008.10.08.11.05.00End continuous DSN coverage for encounter. Complete playback of all high-priority non-imaging data …
messenger2008.10.09.01.05.00Start additional DSN 70m coverage for data playback.
messenger2008.10.09.04.00.00End execution of stored command load.
messenger2008.10.09.06.50.00End DSN 70m coverage for data playback Complete playback of all high-priority non-imaging data through …
messenger2008.10.15.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2008.12.04.12.00.00Deep Space Maneuver 4 Part 1
messenger2008.12.08.12.00.00Deep Space Maneuver 4 Part 2
messenger2008.12.12.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2009.02.09.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2009.04.09.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2009.06.06.18.05.28Perihelion (0.312 AU from Solar System Barycenter)
messenger2009.08.04.14.29.31Apohelion (0.628AU from Solar System Barycenter. Speed 109,598km/h)
messenger2009.09.22.06.20.00Start Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) pre-flyby planet phase imaging campaign
messenger2009.09.25.09.55.00Collect first MDIS public release image.
messenger2009.09.25.20.20.00Start continuous Deep-Space Network (DSN) coverage of encounter.
messenger2009.09.26.21.35.00Pre-Encounter Magnetometer calibration.
messenger2009.09.26.21.35.00Spacecraft roll about Y-axis.
messenger2009.09.26.21.35.00Combined observation with Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS).
messenger2009.09.27.01.10.00Start execution of stored command load.
messenger2009.09.27.02.37.00Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) cryogenic cooler is enabled prior to encounter.
messenger2009.09.27.14.37.00Complete GRS cool-down and configure for science gathering mode.
messenger2009.09.27.14.55.00Collect Second MDIS Public Release Image
messenger2009.09.27.22.52.00X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) Gas Proportional Counters enabled for encounter.
messenger2009.09.28.01.46.00Collect third MDIS public release image.
messenger2009.09.28.12.45.00Collect fourth MDIS public release image.
messenger2009.09.28.14.24.00Turn to start encounter imaging sequence. Beacon-only tracking of satellite begins.
messenger2009.09.28.14.55.00Begin far distance solar tail scans of Mercury with MASCS.
messenger2009.09.29.04.30.00End far distance solar tail scans of Mercury with MASCS and Start mid distance solar tail scans of Mercury.
messenger2009.09.29.06.56.00End MDIS pre-flyby planet phase imaging campaign.
messenger2009.09.29.10.55.00Approach color imaging sequence #1 with MDIS wide angle camera (WAC).
messenger2009.09.29.14.19.00Complete mid distance scans of Mercury solar tail and begin Mercury pole scans with MASCS.
messenger2009.09.29.15.30.00Configure Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) to burst- data collection mode.
messenger2009.09.29.15.30.00Configure Energetic Particle Spectrometer (EPS) to high sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.15.55.00Configure Magnetometer to high sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.15.55.00Configure GRS for medium sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.15.55.00Configure Neutron Spectrometer (NS) for medium sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.16.27.00Complete pole scans of Mercury and begin near distance solar tail scans of Mercury with MASCS.
messenger2009.09.29.16.55.00Approach color imaging sequence #2 with MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.09.29.18.35.00Approach color imaging sequence #3 with MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.09.29.19.25.00Approach color imaging sequence #4 with MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.09.29.19.46.00Approach color imaging sequence #5 with MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.09.29.19.52.00Configure XRS to medium sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.20.36.00Start approach full planet mosaic image sequence using MDIS narrow-angle camera (NAC).
messenger2009.09.29.20.55.00Configure GRS for high sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.20.55.00Configure NS for high sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.21.01.00Configure Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) for science-gathering mode.
messenger2009.09.29.21.40.00Complete near distance solar tail scans of Mercury and start night/near terminator exospheric observation sequence with MASCS.
messenger2009.09.29.21.41.00MESSENGER passes into shadow of Mercury (eclipse entry).
messenger2009.09.29.21.42.00Start spacecraft slew sequence to point instrument deck at planet and perform pre-close approach NS instrument sweep.
messenger2009.09.29.21.49.00Start Mercury surface laser ranging using MLA.
messenger2009.09.29.21.51.00Complete night/near terminator exospheric observation sequence with MASCS.
messenger2009.09.29.21.52.00Configure XRS to high sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.21.54.58Mercury Flyby 3 (228km alt.)
messenger2009.09.29.21.59.00MESSENGER passes out of shadow of Mercury (eclipse exit).
messenger2009.09.29.22.03.00MESSENGER loses contact with Earth (occultation enter).
messenger2009.09.29.22.06.00Perform post-close approch NS instrument sweep using spacecraft rotation.
messenger2009.09.29.22.07.00Complete Mercury surface laser ranging using MLA.
messenger2009.09.29.22.10.00Start combined surface targeting campaign with MDIS WAC and MASCS (11 Surface Targets).
messenger2009.09.29.22.24.00Execute dayside exospheric observation sequence with MASCS.
messenger2009.09.29.22.30.00Start high-resolution image mosaic sequence covering southern hemisphere using NAC.
messenger2009.09.29.22.52.00Start full-color high resolution image mosaic sequence covering entire visible surface.
messenger2009.09.29.22.54.00MESSENGER regains contact with Earth (occultation exit).
messenger2009.09.29.22.55.00Configure NS for medium sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.22.55.00Configure GRS for low sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.29.23.06.00Start first high-resolution image mosaic sequence covering entire visible surface using NAC.
messenger2009.09.29.23.35.00Start second high-resolution image mosaic sequence covering entire visible surface using NAC.
messenger2009.09.29.23.52.00Configure XRS to medium sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.30.00.00.00Take first departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2009.09.30.00.25.00Take Second departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2009.09.30.01.15.00Take third departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2009.09.30.01.27.00Turn back to Earth following encounter. Regain telemetry from spacecraft.
messenger2009.09.30.01.52.00Configure XRS to normal sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.30.02.55.00Take fourth departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2009.09.30.03.32.00Start on-board stored-data playback from spacecraft.
messenger2009.09.30.03.55.00Configure Magnetometer to low sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.30.03.55.00Configure NS to low sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.30.04.00.00Configure EPS to low sensitivity mode.
messenger2009.09.30.04.25.00Configure FIPS instrument to normal data collection mode.
messenger2009.09.30.04.34.00Complete playback of high-priority images.
messenger2009.09.30.08.55.00Take fifth departure full-color image of Mercury using both WAC and NAC.
messenger2009.09.30.09.55.00Start MDIS post-flyby planet phase imaging campaign.
messenger2009.09.30.15.23.00Complete playback of all high-priority and low-priority non-imaging science data through 17 hours after close approach point.
messenger2009.09.30.22.16.00Start first Mercury satellite search sequence using MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.10.01.01.55.00Start second Mercury satellite search sequence using MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.10.01.04.56.00Complete playback of all non-imaging science data through 30 hours after close approach point.
messenger2009.10.01.10.55.00Configure GRS to non-science mode. Start cooler set point test sequence.
messenger2009.10.01.22.52.00Disable XRS gas proportional counter sensor (GPCS).
messenger2009.10.02.01.19.00End continuous DSN coverage for encounter.
messenger2009.10.02.08.28.00Start third Mercury satellite search sequence using MDIS WAC.
messenger2009.10.03.04.29.00End execution of stored command load.
messenger2009.10.04.08.02.03Perihelion (0.306AU from Solar System Barycenter. Speed 222,436km/h)
messenger2009.11.25.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2009.11.29.12.00.00Deep Space Maneuver 5
messenger2010.01.17.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2010.03.11.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2010.05.03.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2010.07.25.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2010.08.16.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2010.10.08.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2010.11.30.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2011.01.22.12.00.00Apohelion
messenger2011.03.16.00.45.00Start initial pre-burn propulsion system configuration
messenger2011.03.16.12.00.00Perihelion
messenger2011.03.16.15.31.00Start critical Deep Space Network coverage (two stations, one primary and one backup)
messenger2011.03.17.00.45.00Spacecraft commanded to pre-critical burn configuration
messenger2011.03.17.20.51.00Start DSN burn coverage (four stations arrayed together)
messenger2011.03.17.22.21.00Finish DSN burn coverage (Backup 70-m antenna)
messenger2011.03.17.23.37.00Start final pre-burn propulsion system configuration
messenger2011.03.18.00.00.00Start RF configuration for burn execution
messenger2011.03.18.00.12.00Complete RF configuration for burn execution
messenger2011.03.18.00.15.00Turn spacecraft to burn attitude and configure attitude control for burn execution
messenger2011.03.18.00.25.00Configure solar arrays for burn execution
messenger2011.03.18.00.40.00Configure spacecraft fault protection for burn execution
messenger2011.03.18.00.45.20Mercury orbit insertion (MOI) engine ignition
messenger2011.03.18.00.49.25Mercury closest approach (CA) point (200 km above surface)
messenger2011.03.18.00.59.58Engine shutdown
messenger2011.03.18.01.12.00Turn spacecraft to Earth and acquire post-maneuver data
messenger2011.03.18.01.23.00Re-configure spacecraft systems for normal post-maneuver operations
messenger2011.03.18.02.16.00End DSN burn coverage (back to critical coverage with 2 stations)
messenger2011.03.18.06.47.00First orbital apoapse passage (start orbit #1)
messenger2011.03.18.16.31.00End DSN critical coverage (back to 1 station continuous coverage)
messenger2011.03.18.18.48.00Second orbital apoapse passage (start orbit #2)
messenger2011.03.21.16.48.00Orbital commissioning period begins (Spacecraft checkout)
messenger2011.03.23.12.00.00Start Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) cooler
messenger2011.03.24.12.00.00Turn on all instruments and configure for operations (except imagers)
messenger2011.03.28.19.45.00Continue orbital commissioning period (Instrument checkout ? Imagers turned on)
messenger2011.04.04.20.15.00Mercury science observations begin
messenger2012.03.18.12.00.00End of Data Collection