BepiColumbo, a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), recently approached the surface of Mercury, coming within just 236 kilometers of the planet. The mission, which consists of three satellites – the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MIO) – aims to conduct a comprehensive study of Mercury, including its magnetic field, magnetosphere, and internal and surface structure.
The project began on October 20, 2018, with the launch of BepiColumbo using the Ariane rocket. However, it is not expected to enter orbit around Mercury until December 5, 2025. On June 19, 2023, the spacecraft came closest to Mercury, capturing breathtaking images of the planet that bears a striking resemblance to the Moon.
According to Ignacio Clerigo, the operations manager of ESA’s BepiColombo spacecraft, everything went smoothly during the flyby, and the images taken with the cameras have already been transmitted back to Earth.
Among the many photos taken by the spacecraft, the team selected three as the best images so far. These images provide insights into a newly named crater on Mercury, named after Jamaican artist Edna Manley. It is interesting to note that all the craters discovered on the planet thus far have been named after artists, musicians, painters, and writers from Earth.
The discoveries made by BepiColombo will provide valuable raw materials for astronomers and scientists in the future. The spacecraft has already discovered a material with low light reflectivity, which could be a remnant of Mercury’s early, carbon-rich crust. Additionally, observations suggest that the bottom of the Manley Crater may have been flooded by lava, indicating a history of long-term volcanic activity on Mercury. The composition of the dark matter inside the crater will be analyzed in detail by BepiColombo, providing insights into the minerals found on the smallest planet in the Solar System.
As for BepiColumbo’s current trajectory, it has been steadily moving away from Mercury since its close approach. This is due to the need to approach the planet at the lowest possible speed. The spacecraft can achieve this through the use of its onboard rockets to brake or by utilizing gravity, which is a longer but more cost-effective process. BepiColumbo will make its final approach to Mercury with the help of gravity, completing three more orbits around the planet before entering its designated orbit in December 2025.
The BepiColumbo mission continues to provide valuable insights into the mysteries of Mercury, and astronomers and scientists eagerly await further discoveries from this joint ESA-JAXA project.
How does the BepiColumbo mission plan to study Mercury’s magnetic field and magnetosphere?
E BepiColumbo project scientist at the European Space Agency, the close approach to Mercury was a critical milestone for the mission. It allowed the team to test the spacecraft’s instruments and gather valuable data about the planet’s environment. The images captured by BepiColumbo will also help scientists plan for future observations and experiments.
The mission’s main objective is to understand the origin and evolution of Mercury, which is the smallest and closest planet to the Sun. By studying its magnetic field, magnetosphere, and surface structure, scientists hope to gain insights into the planet’s formation and its similarities and differences with other rocky planets in our solar system.
The three satellites of the BepiColumbo mission play different roles in gathering this information. The Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) is responsible for transporting the other two satellites to Mercury. The Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) will study the planet’s surface and interior, while the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MIO) will focus on studying the planet’s magnetosphere.
Despite its recent close approach, BepiColumbo still has a long way to go before entering orbit around Mercury. The journey will take a total of seven years, with the spacecraft making flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury to adjust its trajectory. This complex trajectory is necessary to ensure the spacecraft can enter Mercury’s orbit and conduct its scientific investigations effectively.
Once in orbit, BepiColumbo will spend at least one year collecting data and studying Mercury. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding how Mercury’s magnetic field is generated and how it interacts with the solar wind and the planet’s surface. This information will provide valuable insights into the planet’s geological activity and its potential for harboring water ice in permanently shadowed regions.
Overall, the BepiColumbo mission represents a major step forward in our understanding of Mercury and the inner workings of rocky planets. With the collaboration between ESA and JAXA, scientists from both agencies are working together to uncover the secrets of this fascinating planet and expand our knowledge of our solar system.
This article provides a fascinating glimpse into the groundbreaking BepiColombo mission, offering a comprehensive study on Mercury’s magnetic field, magnetosphere, and surface structure. The mission promises valuable insights into the mysterious planet, shedding light on its unique characteristics and adding to our understanding of the solar system as a whole. Exciting times for space exploration!