BepiColombo mission 1 step closer to Mercury today
The BepiColombo mission has been maneuvering its way into orbit around Mercury for 8 years. On September 3, it will release 2 orbiters in Mercury orbit. The post BepiColombo mission 1 step closer to Mercury today first appeared on EarthSky .
On September 3, 2026, ESA's BepiColombo spacecraft will make a significant milestone towards entering Mercury's orbit. After its launch on October 20, 2018, the spacecraft has spent eight years maneuvering itself into position to orbit the closest planet to the sun. To account for the intense gravitational pull of the sun, BepiColombo has made multiple flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury, which have been crucial in slowing down the spacecraft for a successful orbit.
These flybys include one Earth flyby, two Venus flybys, and six Mercury flybys since its launch. Once the spacecraft separates from its propulsion unit on September 3, 2026, the two science orbiters, Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), will enter orbit around Mercury on November 21, 2026. The mission aims to address five mysteries surrounding Mercury, including its origin, potential water presence, whether it's dead or alive, its darkness, and its magnetic field.
By studying Mercury through high-resolution instruments, BepiColombo aims to provide new insights into our solar system's least-understood planet.
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