Y4801

Messenger Mission

First Spacecraft to Orbit Mercury

Collins Cover Announcement 

MESSENGER MISSION

On August 3, 2004, the United States launched the Messenger spacecraft on its mission to orbit the planet Mercury and send back scientific information. My individually hand painted cachet is of bold design as it depicts the ancient god Mercury with his winged helmet. It also shows the surface of the planet as well as the Messenger spacecraft.

In March of 2011, orbit around Mercury was obtained by the Messenger spacecraft for the first time ever, and data will now be collected to study the planet's geologic history, its magnetic field, the structure of its core, and the possibility of ice at its poles. Hopefully Messenger's orbital mission will last about twelve months.

Mercury was the god of Science and also served as the messenger for the other ancient gods. It's fitting that he overlooks this First Day Cover as his planet namesake plays host to another messenger — a modem spacecraft on its own mission of science. Collins #Y4801 @ $14.00.