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← BepiColombo
BepiColombo
Image from the mission source record; may show an earlier flight.

BepiColombo

Oct 20, 2018, 1:45 AM UTC · Launch Successful

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Mission stages

12 linked records

  1. BepiColombo

    Launch Successful

Event dates are published targets. Confirmed milestones appear below when reported.

What changed between flights?

Previous recorded flight of the same rocket configuration: Azerspace-2/Intelsat-38 & Horizons 3e, Sep 25, 2018, 10:38 PM UTC.

Published flight records. A dash means the source has not supplied a value.
FieldPrevious flightThis flight
MissionAzerspace-2/Intelsat-38 & Horizons 3eBepiColomboDifferent
PurposeCommunicationsPlanetary ScienceDifferent
OrbitGeostationary Transfer OrbitHeliocentric N/ADifferent
Launch siteGuiana Space Centre, French GuianaGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
VehicleAriane 5 ECAAriane 5 ECA
Spacecraft——
Booster——

Mission details

  • planned

    Mission description

    BepiColombo’s upcoming Mercury orbit insertion will bring ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA’s Mio into orbit around the planet. The transfer module separated on 3 September 2026. MPO now supplies power during the approach; its solar-array orientation helps balance electrical generation against solar heating before the orbiters later separate.

    Evidence

    Upcoming event394; observed transfer-module separation is distinguished from future Mercury capture. No exact operational date changed.

    Verified 2026-11-01

Reporting

Why BepiColombo turns its solar array away from the Sun

Why BepiColombo turns its solar array away from the Sun

As BepiColombo approaches Mercury orbit insertion, its solar wing must balance useful power with safe temperatures. Here is why more direct sunlight is not always better.

Sources and record details