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The MESSENGER spacecraft is currently being
assembled in the a cleanroom facility at the Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel MD. To allow engineers easy
access to the spacecraft during assembly it is mounted in a "Turnover
Fixture" - here the spaceraft can be easily reoriented through
180 degrees of rotation. At this early stage of assembly the inner
portions of the spacecraft are still visible. Later as the sunshade,
solar panels and thermal blankets are added the spacecraft will
take on a entirely new look.
Last updated: March 28,
2003
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