`` Mercury 's secrets , and the implications they hold for the formation and evolution of Earth-like planets , are about to be revealed . '' It took the probe more than two years to get to Earth . It 's a 4.9-billion - mile ( 2000 - kilometer ) journey to the solar system 's innermost plant . The space agency is hoping to get the first pictures from the probe by the end of the year . The primary science phase of the mission is scheduled to begin April 4 .
It took the probe more than two years to get to Earth . It 's a 4.9-billion - mile ( 2000 - kilometer ) journey to the solar system 's innermost plant . The space agency is hoping to get the first pictures from the probe by the end of the year . The primary science phase of the mission is scheduled to begin April 4 .