BepiColombo

The BepiColombo mission is two satellites launched together to investigate Mercury’s magnetic environment and its structure.

Mission Objective

The BepiColombo mission is to make an extensive study of Mercury. The study includes the characterization of Mercury’s magnetosphere, magnetic field, and planetary structure. 

Mission Significance 

BepiColombo is the second mission ever to Mercury! Mercury is the least explored among the inner Solar System’s four rocky planets. Its proximity to the sun causes great observatory challenges. The study and the investigation of Mercury might provide valuable insights into the history of the entire solar system! 

Source: ESA

Engineering Challenges

BepiColombo mission to Mercury represents one of the most ambitious and technically demanding planetary explorations ever attempted. Operating in close proximity to the sun presented the engineering teams with a multitude of severe challenges:

• Extreme Thermal Environment: Mercury’s orbit subjects the spacecraft to extreme temperature fluctuations and extreme heat in general. Managing this extreme heat and preventing instruments from overheating or materials from degrading is very complicated.
• Solar Radiation and Stray Light: The intense solar radiation near Mercury is extremely high. This causes severe heat loads and risks sensitive optical instruments.
• Complex Trajectory and Propulsion: Due to the sun’s massive gravitational pull, reaching Mercury required a highly complex, decade-long journey utilizing multiple gravity assist maneuvers. The long cruise phase also required specialized Electric Propulsion to slow the spacecraft down enough to finally enter Mercury’s orbit.

Mission Components

The mission includes three components in total:

• MPO – Mercury Planetary Orbiter
• MIO – Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
• MTM – Mercury Transfer Module 

MPO and MIO were launched together.

Methodology Overview

During the launch, the three components are joined together.  Upon arrival at Mercury, MIO and MPO satellites will separate into two independent spacecraft. The main role of MTM is to carry and support MIO and MPO during the journey. Each of them is equipped with its various scientific instruments, and therefore each will observe Mercury individually.

Source: cosmos.esa

Acktar’s Solution

To safeguard the scientific instruments from the severe optical and thermal interference, BepiColombo utilized Acktar’s proprietary, space-qualified black coating solutions. By applying Fractal Black, Magic Black, and Acktar White coatings on MERTISSERENA, the scattered light is minimized, and solar radiation and unwanted reflections are absorbed rather than contaminating the optical path.

Impact

BepiColombo’s Main Study Goals

• Mercury’s geology: the planet’s form, structure, and composition and its carters.
• Mercury’s exosphere: its composition and dynamics.
• Mercury’s magnetosphere: structure and dynamics.
• The origin of its magnetic field.
• Verification of Einstein’s General Relativity Theory.

Study Goals Explained

Mercury’s small size and high temperatures affect many of its basic characteristics. One example is that it is unable to maintain a substantial atmosphere for an extended period. However, it does possess a tenuous exosphere closely bound to its surface. The exosphere includes elements such as hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium, potassium, and trace elements. 

Source: cosmos.esa

Since Mercury is the least investigated planet among the rocky planets in our solar system, it is the most mysterious one. The primary study goals will allow us to answer some of the most unknown queries about Mercury and might solve some riddles that have existed for years. 

Name Origin

The mission is named after the Italian scientist Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo. Giuseppe lived during the 20th century. He was a scientist, engineer, and mathematician who studied the planet Mercury. He was the first to propose the interplanetary gravity assist. A gravity assist is a type of spaceflight flyby that exploits the gravity and the relative movement of an astronomical object that alters the spacecraft’s pass.

BepiColombo Schedule

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