Experts have confirmed that despite Mercury’s extreme proximity to the sun and extreme temperature swings, humans can technically walk on the planet’s surface.
Mercury’s slow rotation means that it takes 59 Earth days to complete one revolution. However, its relatively short year of 88 days means that it takes less than 176 Earth days to complete one cycle of day and night. By following the finish line – the slowly changing twilight zone seen as the sun goes down – it is possible to avoid both the roasting sun and the crazy cold according to Russia today.
The real problem will be finding a way to touch safely. Having no atmosphere to use meant more reliance on heavy fuel to control speed.
Although it is only slightly larger than the Moon, Mercury has a massive iron core compared to its relatively thin crust, a mysterious feature that makes it incredibly heavy for its size. This density means that the planet’s gravity is only a third of the Earth’s strength.
Then there is the issue of the flight itself. Putting aside the increasing levels of radiation as you get closer to the Sun, it would take six to seven years to navigate the complex trajectory necessary to intercept the planet.
