Yes reading more on the 'Messenger' spacecraft, it was sort
of a bonus freebie to perform some limited imaging of Venus.
The spacecraft used the planet as an transit gravity assist on its' way to Mercury, its mission planet. The orbital transit maneuver was performed in
2006 and finally again in 2007.
The images that were shown I believe were prior to the 2006 fly-by. Here is a graphic better illus. the orbital mechanics of such a mission.
Originally posted by nataylor
The Messenger image was taken at a distance of 10.3 million miles from Venus, through just 1 of the probe's 11 color filters, with an imager that's
designed for imaging at orbital distances.
Yes that particular image was far from the planet, but then 'Messenger' is expected to pass as close as 340km from the surface of Venus in this
fly-by, and to take 600+ images of the planet.
This time around, Messenger will scrutinise Venus with its full suite of seven instruments, and is scheduled to take more than 630
pictures.
and...
Messenger is now adjusting its trajectory by flying past Venus. The craft will fly 340 kilometres above the planet's surface, only 90 km above
the planet's atmosphere, with its closest approach at 2308 GMT today.
space.newscientist.com...
Where are these images of Venus? Also interesting to note that the Venus Express is also in orbit about Venus at the same same as Messenger performs
the orbital maneuver.
[edit on 6/9/2007 by greatlakes]
