On March 29, 1974, Mariner 10 became the first space probe to fly by Mercury. The spacecraft passed just 704 km from the planet. Mariner 10 was an American robotic space probe launched by NASA on November 3, 1973, and the first spacecraft to perform flybys of multiple planets. The mission objectives were to measure Mercury's environment, atmosphere, surface, and body characteristics and to make similar investigations of Venus. Its secondary goals were to perform experiments in the interplanetary medium and to obtain experience with a dual-planet gravity assist mission. On Earth, the spacecraft weighed 504 kg (1,111 lbs) including the weight of fuel and scientific instruments. When fully deployed, the spacecraft measured 3.7 m (12 ft) from the top of the low-gain antenna to the bottom of the heat shield of the thrust vector control assembly of the propulsion subsystem. Mariner 10 conducted seven experiments at Venus and Mercury. Six of them had a dedicated scientific instrument to collect data. These instruments were designed by research laboratories and educational institutions from across the United States. The probe carried 3 telescopes and vidicon tubes (old television camera tubes) that were 179.8 cm (5.9″) in length and weighed 43.6 kilograms (96 lb). They required 67 watts of electricity, more power than the other five onboard instruments combined. It was discovered that the heaters for the vidicon tubes had failed, so they were left on to prevent low temperatures from damaging the optics. Mariner 10 returned about 2,700 photographs of Mercury and Venus during its three trips around Mercury that covered nearly half of the planet’s surface. The spacecraft also had an infrared radiometer that was designed to detect infrared radiation given off by Mercury's surface and Venus' atmosphere. The instrument was designed to measure temperatures as cold as -193 °C and as hot as 427 °C which allowed scientists to calculate the temperature on the planets. The infrared radiometer contained a pair of telescopes fixed at an angle of 120 degrees to each other and a pair of detectors made from antimony-bismuth thermopiles. Another onboard instrument was the electrostatic analyzer. The experiment they were for was to study the ionized gases of the solar wind, the temperature and density of the charged particles, and how the planets affected the velocity of the plasma stream. Unfortunately, shortly after launch, scientists found that one of the analyzers had failed because a door shielding the analyzer did not open. An attempt was made to forcibly unfasten the door with the first course-correction maneuver but it was not successful. There were two charged particle telescopes aboard the spacecraft studying the interaction of the heliosphere with cosmic radiation. They were used to collect highly energetic electrons and atomic nuclei, specifically oxygen nuclei. These particles then passed through the magnetometers and plasma detectors and were counted. The experiment was to provide additional evidence of a magnetic field around Mercury, by showing whether such a field had captured charged particles. Fortunately, the experiment was still able to be conducted with the one surviving and functional electrostatic analyzer. Two triaxial fluxgate magnetometers were situated on a long boom attached to the spacecraft, one closer to the octagonal hub, the other one further away. They were tasked with discerning whether Mercury produced a magnetic field and studying the interplanetary magnetic field between flybys. The magnetometers worked extremely effectively, as they revealed a weak magnetic field around Mercury. After the spacecraft ran out of fuel and a total mission time of 1 year, 9 months and 19 days, NASA sent the command to Mariner 10 to turn off its transmitter on March 24, 1974.

We have a new article that explains the main concepts the First Space Nation is based on. So when people ask you what Asgardia is, you can just show them this! https://bit.ly/2ykE7GB

Wow, what a week! Don't miss any news, because we are moving forward fast See more on our website: https://asgardia.space/en/news

Did you watch the Head of Nation live stream? What did you think? Let's discuss! Also, if your question wasn't answered or you have additional questions, you can submit them using this form: https://bit.ly/2ULSLhN

We've been getting questions from Asgardians in China about how to access the YouTube stream of the Head of Nation's first-ever live Q&A session, so we decided to throw together some useful tips on VPN services. Here are the basics: Step 1 — choose a VPN service Step 2 — follow the instructions and install it Step 3 — enjoy the YouTube live stream! If you need help choosing a service, here's how to set up and use VPN in China (https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/best-vpns-for-china-verified-list/). We believe in free access to information and think that every Asgardian has the right to watch this event!

The Counting Commission is back from verifying the results of the voting from Parliaments 5th Digital Sitting. https://asgardia.space/en/news/Counting-Commission-Voting-Results-Mar23

Only three days left until the first-ever livestream by Asgardia's Head of Nation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HvEjakDUjs #AsgardiaSpaceNation

The weekly Asgardia poll is back! Working remotely might be the job of the future, even in space.