Universe Today reports MESSENGER Went Into Safe Mode Approaching Mercury.
"The MESSENGER spacecraft went into safe mode just before its closest approach of Mercury on Sept. 29. Although the instruments were taking data as the spacecraft came near the planet during this third flyby of the mission, after going into safe mode, no further data or pictures were obtained. This means the expected science investigations from the flyby were not executed. However, as Emily Lakdawalla pointed on in the Planetary Blog, the most important purpose of this flyby was the last gravity assist that will allow MESSENGER to enter [Mercury] orbit in [March] 2011, and to that end, the flyby was a complete success. "
Still, some great pictures from this flyby are here.
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