BepiColombo Mission

A dual-orbiter mission to the innermost planet, Mercury.

Overview

BepiColombo is a joint ESA–JAXA mission to Mercury. It consists of two orbiters: one built by ESA to study Mercury’s surface and interior, and one by JAXA to investigate its magnetosphere.

The mission aims to solve long-standing mysteries about Mercury’s high density, magnetic field, and volatile-rich surface despite its proximity to the Sun.

📌 Mission Facts

Agencies: ESA & JAXA

Launch: 20 October 2018

Destination: Mercury orbit

Status: Cruise phase with multiple fly-bys

Mission Objectives

  • Map Mercury’s surface and geology in detail.
  • Study the planet’s magnetic field and interaction with the solar wind.
  • Investigate Mercury’s internal structure and high density.
  • Understand the presence of volatile materials and polar ice.

Watch

🔗 ESA — BepiColombo mission overview.
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