03/09/2026
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After eight years of travelling by way of the interior Photo voltaic System, BepiColombo is arriving at Mercury. This web page will present the newest updates all through the mission’s arrival.
BepiColombo is a world-class science mission led by the European House Company (ESA) in shut collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Company (JAXA). It is going to be the primary mission to orbit Mercury with two spacecraft, with ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (Mio) orbiting the planet on the identical time.
The ‘arrival section’ begins with the separation of the Mercury Switch Module (MTM) from the spacecraft stack on 3 September 2026. The composite spacecraft will enter orbit round Mercury on 21 November 2026, and MPO and Mio will separate from one another on 9–10 December 2026. The mission’s science section is about to start in April 2027.
3 September 2026
14:52 BST / 15:52 CEST
Acquisition of sign by way of two Estrack deep area antennas, in Cebreros (Spain) and Malargüe (Argentina), have confirmed the profitable separation of BepiColombo’s Mercury Switch Module (MTM) from the spacecraft stack. Present telemetry signifies all programs are nominal, and MPO’s photo voltaic panels are charging the spacecraft’s batteries.
Behind right this moment’s success are years of preparation by groups throughout the BepiColombo mission. Executing a essential separation greater than 200 million kilometres from Earth calls for exact planning, navigation and commanding, with no alternative for real-time intervention.
After practically eight years in area and billions of kilometres travelled, BepiColombo’s two science orbiters, ESA’s MPO and JAXA’s Mio, at the moment are on their means in the direction of orbit insertion round Mercury. MPO will energy the spacecraft stack till Mio separates on 9–10 December 2026.
13:41 BST / 14:41 CEST
We’ve detected the preliminary Doppler sign indicating that MTM has separated from the BepiColombo spacecraft stack. The Doppler sign is a variation within the radio frequency established between Earth and the spacecraft. When the spacecraft adjustments velocity, the frequency of the sign adjustments. It’s the identical precept that makes us hear a change in pitch within the siren sound when an ambulance strikes in the direction of us or away from us.
The preliminary Doppler sign is in step with the deliberate MTM separation sequence. For full affirmation of the separation being profitable, we’re awaiting a sign from the MPO spacecraft at round 14:53 BST / 15:53 CEST.
13:00 BST / 14:00 CEST
BepiColombo’s Mercury Switch Module ought to have now separated from the spacecraft, a key step within the mission’s journey in the direction of orbiting Mercury. Now anticipating acquisition of sign confirming separation no sooner than 14:53 BST / 15:53 CEST.
12:45 BST / 13:45 CEST
ESA’s livestream has began! You may watch it here.
Details about ESA’s livestream
11:03 BST / 12:03 CEST
“Roll name accomplished, GO for separation” – the Mission Management Group has the inexperienced mild to proceed with BepiColombo’s MTM separation. The spacecraft is checked and configured, the bottom stations are ready, and the workforce at ESA’s European House Operations Centre (ESOC) is prepared.