← ALL PROBES
DISTANCE FROM SUN0.8 AU
DISTANCE FROM EARTH0.5 AU
VELOCITY35 km/s
LIGHT TIME4 min
ACTIVE
0.8
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
119,678,297 km
126,000
KM/H
VELOCITY
7 years, 166 days
MISSION DURATION
AND COUNTING
4
MINUTES LIGHT TIME
ONE-WAY SIGNAL DELAY
4,100
KG
LAUNCH MASS
3
TARGETS
Earth, Venus, Mercury
BepiColombo is a orbiter mission by ESA / JAXA targeting Mercury. Launched October 20, 2018. Currently 0.8 AU from the Sun.
ABOUT BEPICOLOMBO
BepiColombo is a joint ESA/JAXA mission to Mercury carrying two science orbiters. It uses the most complex gravity-assist trajectory ever flown, with 9 planetary flybys including one of Earth, two of Venus, and six of Mercury before orbit insertion in December 2025. It will study Mercury’s magnetic field, surface, and internal structure.
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- Two orbiters stacked during cruise phase
- Uses solar-electric propulsion + 9 gravity assists
- Most complex gravity-assist trajectory ever flown
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (12)
BELA (Laser altimeter)
ISA (Accelerometer)
MERMAG (Magnetometer)
MERTIS (Thermal IR spectrometer)
MGNS (Gamma-ray/Neutron)
MIXS (X-ray spectrometer)
MORE (Radio science)
PHEBUS (UV spectrometer)
SERENA (Neutral/ion mass spectrometers)
SIMBIO-SYS (Imaging system)
SIXS (Solar monitor)
MMO instruments
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Launch Mass4,100 kg (9,041 lbs)
PowerSolar panels
PropulsionSolar-electric (ion), chemical bipropellant
Launch VehicleAriane 5 ECA
Launch DateOctober 20, 2018
Arrival DateDecember 5, 2025
ProgramBepiColombo
MISSION TRAJECTORY
1
Earth
2
Venus
3
Mercury
OTHER MERCURY MISSIONS