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Space probe
BepiColombo
BepiColombo is a space probe from Europe and Japan on its way to Mercury. Because it is very hot close to the Sun, it needs a special heat shield.
Fact file
- Type
- Space probe
- Launch
- 20 October 2018
Interesting facts about BepiColombo
- BepiColombo is a joint mission by Europe (ESA) and Japan (JAXA) to Mercury – it is really two probes stacked on top of each other.
- To get to Mercury it has to brake, not speed up: to do so it flies past Earth, Venus and Mercury nine times.
- It is named after the Italian scientist Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo, who had worked out the swing-bys for the Mariner 10 probe.
Frequently asked questions about BepiColombo
When was BepiColombo launched?
The mission began on 20 October 2018.
Which celestial bodies has BepiColombo visited?
BepiColombo visited Venus and Mercury. All milestones with their dates are listed further down this page.
The mission
Launched in 2018 on an Ariane 5 rocket; it is propelled by ion engines.
Technology and flight
It is hot at Mercury: the probe has to withstand temperatures above 350 °C.
Discoveries
The two probes are to study Mercury's surface, its magnetic field and the ice in its permanently dark polar craters. One instrument comes from the University of Bern.
For comparison
The journey to the planet nearest the Sun takes longer than the one to Jupiter – about eight years.
Mission milestones
- Launch at Earth
Launch on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou.
- Earth at Earth
Swing-by of Earth.
- Venus (1) at Venus
First Venus flyby.
- Venus (2) at Venus
Second Venus flyby.
- Mercury (1) at Mercury
First of six Mercury flybys.
- Mercury (3) at Mercury
Third Mercury flyby.
- Mercury (6) at Mercury
Last flyby before entering orbit.
- Arrival at Mercury at Mercury
Entering orbit around Mercury (planned).
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