NASA spacecraft flies over Mercury

For the first time in 33 years, a NASA spacecraft has passed above planet Mercury.

For the first time in 33 years, a NASA spacecraft has  passed above planet Mercury. (CCTV.com)

Hoping to solve some of the mysteries of the solar system's innermost planet, the probe is collecting never before seen footage of its outer hemisphere.

The MESSENGER probe is due to send high-resolution images back to Earth on Tuesday, marking a departure from low-grade radar images.

The probe is scheduled to pass Mercury once more in 2008, and again in 2009.

In 2011, gravity will pull it into a yearlong orbit of the small planet.

In these passes, scientists hope to gather data on the planet's topography, geological history, and answer questions about its iron-rich magnetic core.