BepiColombo’s Arrival at Mercury: Mission Updates
Science & Exploration
Date: 03/09/2026
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After eight years of journeying through the inner Solar System, the BepiColombo mission has successfully arrived at Mercury. This mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is historic as it is the first to orbit Mercury with two spacecraft: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (Mio).
Key Milestones:
- Separation of Mercury Transfer Module (MTM): 3 September 2026
- Orbit Insertion: 21 November 2026
- Orbiter Separation: 9–10 December 2026
- Science Phase Start: April 2027
Highlights from 3 September 2026
13:00 BST / 14:00 CEST
The Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) is expected to separate from the spacecraft, a crucial step in the mission’s success.
13:41 BST / 14:41 CEST
Preliminary signals detected indicate that the MTM has successfully separated.
14:52 BST / 15:52 CEST
Acquisition of signals from two ground stations confirmed successful separation of the MTM. All systems are nominal, and MPO’s solar panels are operational.
Preparation for this critical maneuver required extensive planning and collaboration among mission teams, demonstrating the complexity of deep space navigation.
For more live updates and information, check out ESA’s livestream of the event.
