MESSENGER flew within 200 km (124 miles) of the surface of Mercury yesterday in the first of three flybys of the planet. Initial radio signals from the spacecraft indicate that it is operating normally. The first scientific data return from the flyby was received today, just minutes before the closest approach to the planet, as planned. Tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. EST, the spacecraft will turn back towards Earth to start down-linking the on-board stored data that include images; spectral observation of the surface, atmosphere, and tail; a surface topographic profile; and magnetometer and charged particle measurements of Mercury's magnetosphere. For more information, see the MESSENGER Web site.