An Eight-Year Trek Through the Inner Solar System
The joint ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission is marking the anniversary of its launch, which took place on 20 October 2018. Following an eight-year trek through the demanding environment of the inner Solar System, the spacecraft continues its journey toward its final destination: Mercury.
Defining the Mission in Three Words
To celebrate this milestone, mission team members were invited to capture BepiColombo in just three words. Selections such as 'complex,' 'collaborative,' and 'transformative' mirror both the technical rigor of the journey and the close international teamwork that has driven the mission forward.
Anticipating the 9 December 2026 Arrival
The long journey is scheduled to culminate with BepiColombo's arrival at Mercury on 9 December 2026. Once inserted into orbit, the mission will begin investigating the innermost planet's magnetic environment, surface composition, and extreme solar interactions in unprecedented detail.
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