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Q8 (CDS-I/2006) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Space exploration missions Answer Verified

What is the name of the spacecraft launched in the year 2004 which would fly by Earth,Venus and Mercury several times and circle the Sun 15 times ?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: B
Explanation

The spacecraft launched in 2004 is MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging). Launched by NASA on August 3, 2004, it was designed to be the first probe to orbit Mercury [t1][t2]. To reach its destination, the spacecraft followed a complex trajectory through the inner solar system, which included one flyby of Earth (2005), two flybys of Venus (2006 and 2007), and three flybys of Mercury (2008 and 2009) [t3][t7]. This journey involved circling the Sun 15 times before successfully entering Mercury's orbit in March 2011 [t6][t9]. MESSENGER provided critical data on Mercury's chemical composition, geology, and magnetic field, eventually impacting the planet's surface in 2015 after its mission concluded [t2][t7]. The other options, such as Ranger (lunar probes) and Rover (surface vehicles), do not match this specific orbital mission profile.

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