2 spacecraft will soon reach Mercury after 8 years in space. Here's what BepiColombo can do

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   BepiColombo probes begin high-risk approach to Mercury

   The BepiColombo mission has entered its final arrival phase at Mercury after an eight-year journey. On September 3, the mission's Mercury Transfer Module successfully separated from the two scientific orbiters while over 200 million kilometers from Earth. The orbiters are currently 3.3 million kilometers from the planet and will spend the next six months maneuvering into Mercury's orbit. Full scientific observations are scheduled to begin in April 2027. The mission is a joint venture between the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

   Why it matters

   Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and remains a mystery regarding its origins and current state. This mission aims to conduct an unprecedented close-up study of the sun-scorched world. Recent separate studies suggest the planet may be shrinking faster than previously expected.

   What is confirmed

   • The BepiColombo mission is a joint effort between the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
   • The spacecraft spent eight years traveling to Mercury.
   • The mission involves two scientific orbiters.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Full scientific observations will start in April 2027.

   What to watch next

   • The start of formal scientific observations in April 2027.
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. Phys.org — Spacecraft bound for Mercury begins 'tricky' arrival
   2. news.qq.com — 人类将首次全面看清水星，它可能和想象中完全不同
   3. www.usatoday.com — NASA's newest Mars images offer striking clues to Earth's neighbor
   4. www.nbcnews.com — Mercury may be shrinking faster than scientists expected
   5. www.astronomy.com — Artemis 2 crew lands at Starmus VII — 15 years after Armstrong, Aldrin, and Leonov launched its lengacy
   confidence 90%
2. 11d ago

   BepiColombo Spacecraft Begin Final Approach to Mercury

   Two spacecraft comprising the BepiColombo mission have begun their arrival at Mercury after eight years in space. The mission is a joint effort between the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. These probes are now on final approach to the smallest planet in the solar system to conduct an unprecedented close-up study of its enduring mysteries. Researchers intend to use the mission to discover the origins of the planet and determine how it reached its current state.

   Why it matters

   Mercury is the most mysterious planet in the inner solar system. BepiColombo is only the third mission ever sent to study the planet.

   What is confirmed

   • The BepiColombo mission consists of two spacecraft.
   • The spacecraft have spent eight years in space before nearing Mercury.
   • The European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are operating the BepiColombo mission.
   • BepiColombo is the third mission to study Mercury.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of successful orbital insertion at Mercury
   • Release of first close-up imagery and data from the planet's surface
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. space.com — 2 spacecraft will soon reach Mercury after 8 years in space. Here's what BepiColombo can do
   2. apnews.com — A pair of spacecraft draw closer to Mercury after nearly decade-long voyage
   3. Scientific American — The spacecraft BepiColombo is finally nearing Mercury after 8 years in space
   4. CNN — Mercury’s enduring mysteries are ready for an unprecedented close-up
   5. space.com — 'A new mission starting today': 8 years after launch, BepiColombo begins Mercury arrival
   6. arstechnica.com — After 8 years, Europe’s BepiColombo mission is on final approach to Mercury
   7. www.smithsonianmag.com — After an Eight-Year Journey, Two Spacecraft Have Begun Their Arrival to Mercury, the Inner Solar System’s Most Mysterious Planet
   confidence 100%