In a conference room, looking through a wall of glass into the Messenger mission-control center, Solomon described his fascination with the parched and moon-like planet, which is a sister of Earth.

NPR: New Images May Shed Light on Mercury's Mysteries

It was a tricky maneuver, and it didn't help that during its approach Messenger had to lose radio contact with mission control while it flew behind the planet.

NPR: NASA Probe Glimpses Unseen Side of Mercury

And yet, we attack the messenger, and the leaks, instead of the people who were in control of the events leading to the leaks, or the people whose illegal behavior is documented in the leaked documents.

FORBES: Wikileaks Can't Wipe Out A Major Bank

Journalists, scientists and even mission-control operators milled about, waiting for the faint dial tone that would tell them Messenger had made it safely.

NPR: New Images May Shed Light on Mercury's Mysteries