MESSENGER leaves launch pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
The Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft, built by John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), was launched today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a three-stage Boeing Delta II Rocket. Hi-Shear Separation bolts and Initiators were used on the Delta II, and Hi-Shear Separation Nuts and NASA Standard Initiators (NSI's) were used on the MESSENGER. Its life is about one year.
MESSENGER leaves launch pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station