The MESSENGER mission, launched in 2004, has significantly advanced our understanding of Mercury, marking its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Key milestones of the mission include its successful launch and orbit insertion, showcasing the technical expertise of the team.

The mission provided the first comprehensive geochemical analysis of Mercury's surface, revealing its sulfur-rich and iron-poor composition.

Led by Principal Investigator Sean Solomon, MESSENGER was selected by NASA in 1999 and successfully entered orbit around Mercury in 2011.

As the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, MESSENGER utilized advanced instruments for geochemical remote sensing of the planet's surface.

Contrary to previous models, MESSENGER found that Mercury is not depleted in moderately volatile elements, indicating a more complex geological history.

Significantly, MESSENGER confirmed the presence of water ice in Mercury's polar deposits, suggesting a historical delivery of water and organic materials from the outer Solar System.

The mission's geodetic measurements revealed that Mercury's iron-rich core is larger than previously thought, comprising about 80% of the planet's radius.

Future missions, such as the ongoing BepiColombo mission, aim to build upon MESSENGER's findings and explore Mercury in greater detail.

Public outreach initiatives, like those of the MESSENGER team, are essential for engaging the public and inspiring future generations in science and engineering.

Sean Solomon emphasized the importance of patience and persistence in scientific exploration, reflecting on the long timeline from the first Mercury mission to MESSENGER's achievements.

Carnegie Science played a crucial role in the mission, managing contracts, communications, and educational outreach.