# BepiColombo

> space probe mission

**Wikidata**: [Q113169](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113169)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BepiColombo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bepicolombo

## Summary
BepiColombo is a space probe mission launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on October 20, 2018. Its primary goal is to study Mercury, the least explored planet in the Solar System, by deploying two orbiters: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO).

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 20, 2018
- **Operators**: European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA
- **Mass**: 4,100 kg at takeoff, 2,700 kg dry weight
- **Orbiters**: Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
- **Named After**: Italian scientist Giuseppe "Bepi" Colombo
- **Orbital Inclination**: 90 degrees
- **Apoapsis**: 1,500 km
- **Periapsis**: 480 km
- **Manufacturers**: Airbus SAS and Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
- **Follows**: LISA Pathfinder (launched December 3, 2015)
- **Followed By**: CHEOPS

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the BepiColombo mission?
A: The mission aims to study Mercury, the least explored planet in the Solar System, by deploying two orbiters: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO).

### Q: Who operates the BepiColombo mission?
A: The mission is a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

### Q: What are the key components of the BepiColombo spacecraft?
A: The spacecraft consists of two orbiters: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), along with a Mercury Transfer Module (MTM).

### Q: How was the BepiColombo mission named?
A: The mission is named after Italian scientist Giuseppe "Bepi" Colombo, who made significant contributions to the study of Mercury.

### Q: What is the expected arrival date of the BepiColombo mission at Mercury?
A: The mission is expected to enter Mercury's orbit in December 2025.

## Why It Matters
BepiColombo is a groundbreaking mission that aims to unravel the mysteries of Mercury, the smallest and least explored planet in our Solar System. By studying Mercury's composition, geology, and magnetic environment, scientists hope to gain insights into the formation and evolution of rocky planets, including Earth. The mission also seeks to understand Mercury's extreme temperatures, its interaction with the solar wind, and the origin of its unusual magnetic field. The data collected by BepiColombo will contribute to our broader understanding of planetary systems and the processes that shape them.

## Notable For
- **First Joint ESA-JAXA Mission**: BepiColombo is the first mission to Mercury led by both the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- **Dual-Orbiter Design**: The mission features two orbiters—MPO and MMO—working together to study Mercury's surface and magnetosphere.
- **Named After a Pioneer**: The mission is named after Giuseppe "Bepi" Colombo, a renowned Italian scientist who made significant contributions to Mercury research.
- **Extreme Environmental Conditions**: BepiColombo is designed to withstand Mercury's extreme temperatures, ranging from 430°C (806°F) during the day to -180°C (-292°F) at night.
- **Long Journey to Mercury**: The mission's journey to Mercury involves multiple gravity-assist maneuvers, including flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury itself, to achieve the correct trajectory.

## Body
### Mission Overview
BepiColombo is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The mission consists of two scientific orbiters: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), along with a Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) that provides propulsion and support during the journey to Mercury.

### Launch and Journey
The BepiColombo mission was launched on October 20, 2018, aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The spacecraft's journey to Mercury is expected to take approximately seven years, with multiple gravity-assist maneuvers, including flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury itself, to achieve the correct trajectory.

### Scientific Objectives
The primary scientific objectives of BepiColombo include studying Mercury's composition, geology, and magnetic environment. The mission aims to answer fundamental questions about the formation and evolution of rocky planets, including Earth. The data collected by BepiColombo will contribute to our understanding of planetary systems and the processes that shape them.

### Key Components
- **Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)**: Designed to study Mercury's surface, geology, and exosphere.
- **Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)**: Focuses on studying Mercury's magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind.
- **Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)**: Provides propulsion and support during the journey to Mercury.

### Significance
BepiColombo is a significant milestone in planetary exploration, as it represents the first mission to Mercury led by both ESA and JAXA. The mission's dual-orbiter design allows for comprehensive studies of Mercury's surface and magnetosphere, providing valuable insights into the planet's formation and evolution.

### Future of the Mission
Upon arrival at Mercury in December 2025, the BepiColombo mission will begin its scientific operations, with the MPO and MMO orbiters working together to study the planet's surface and magnetic environment. The data collected by BepiColombo will contribute to our broader understanding of planetary systems and the processes that shape them.

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## References

1. [BepiColombo factsheet. European Space Agency](http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_factsheet)
2. [Source](http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_factsheet)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. BBC Things
6. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)