![]() Artist's depiction of the BepiColombo mission, with the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (left) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (right) | |
Mission type | Planetary science |
---|---|
Operator | |
COSPAR ID | 2018-080A |
SATCAT no. | 43653 |
Mission duration | Cruise: 7 years (planned) Science phase: 1 year (planned) 5 years, 10 months and 5 days (in progress) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | |
Launch mass | 4,100 kg (9,000 lb) [1] |
BOL mass | MPO: 1,230 kg (2,710 lb) Mio: 255 kg (562 lb) [1] |
Dry mass | 2,700 kg (6,000 lb) [1] |
Dimensions | MPO: 2.4 m × 2.2 m × 1.7 m (7 ft 10 in × 7 ft 3 in × 5 ft 7 in) Mio: 1.8 m × 1.1 m (5 ft 11 in × 3 ft 7 in) [1] |
Power | MPO: 150 watts Mio: 90 watts |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 20 October 2018, 01:45 UTC |
Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA (VA245)[2] |
Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3[3] |
Contractor | Arianespace |
Flyby of Earth (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 10 April 2020, 04:25 UTC |
Distance | 12,677 km (7,877 mi) |
Flyby of Venus (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 15 October 2020, 03:58 UTC |
Distance | 10,720 km (6,660 mi) |
Flyby of Venus (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 10 August 2021, 13:51 UTC |
Distance | 552 km (343 mi) |
Flyby of Mercury (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 1 October 2021, 23:34:41 UTC |
Distance | 199 km (124 mi) |
Flyby of Mercury (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 23 June 2022, 09:44 UTC |
Distance | 200 km (124.3 mi) |
Flyby of Mercury (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 19 June 2023, 19:34 UTC |
Distance | 236 km (147 mi) |
Mercury orbiter | |
Spacecraft component | Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) |
Orbital insertion | 5 December 2025 (planned) |
Orbital parameters | |
Perihermion altitude | 480 km (300 mi) |
Apohermion altitude | 1,500 km (930 mi) |
Inclination | 90,0° |
Mercury orbiter | |
Spacecraft component | Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) |
Orbital insertion | 5 December 2025 (planned) |
Orbital parameters | |
Perihermion altitude | 590 km (370 mi) |
Apohermion altitude | 11,640 km (7,230 mi) |
Inclination | 90.0° |
![]() BepiColombo insignia |
BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to the planet Mercury.[4] The mission comprises two satellites launched together: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mio (Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, MMO).[5] The mission will perform a comprehensive study of Mercury, including characterization of its magnetic field, magnetosphere, and both interior and surface structure. It was launched on an Ariane 5[2] rocket on 20 October 2018 at 01:45 UTC, with an arrival at Mercury planned for on 5 December 2025, after a flyby of Earth, two flybys of Venus, and six flybys of Mercury.[1][6] The mission was approved in November 2009, after years in proposal and planning as part of the European Space Agency's Horizon 2000+ programme;[7] it is the last mission of the programme to be launched.[8]
On May 15, 2024 an ESA press release reported that a "glitch" prevented the spacecraft's thrusters from operating at full power during a scheduled manoeuvre on April 26.[9]
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