BepiColombo

BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to the planet Mercury. It launched on October 20, 2018 and it is planned to arrive at Mercury On December 5, 2025.

BepiColombo

Artist's depiction of the BepiColombo mission, with the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (left) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (right)
Mission type	Planetary science
Operator	ESA · JAXA
COSPAR ID	2018-080A
SATCAT no.	43653
Website	sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/
Mission duration	Cruise: 7 years (planned) Elapsed: 7 years, 2 months and 2 days
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	EADS Astrium · ISAS
Launch mass	4,100 kg (9,040 lb)[1]
BOL mass	MPO: 1,230 kg (2,710 lb)[1] MMO: 255 kg (560 lb)[1]
Dry mass	2,700 kg (5,950 lb)[1]
Dimensions	MPO: 2.4 × 2.2 × 1.7 m[1]      (7.9 × 7.2 × 5.6 ft) MMO: 1.8 × 1.1 m[1]      (5.9 × 3.6 ft)
Power	MPO: 150 W MMO: 90 W
Start of mission
Launch date	October 20, 2018 (2018-10-20)
Rocket	Ariane 5 ECA
Launch site	Guiana Space Centre[2]
Contractor	Arianespace
Mercury orbiter
Spacecraft component	Mercury Planetary Orbiter
Orbital insertion	Planned: 5 December 2025
Orbit parameters
Perihermion	480 km (300 mi)
Apohermion	1,500 km (930 mi)
Inclination	90°
Mercury orbiter
Spacecraft component	Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter
Orbital insertion	Planned: 5 December 2025
Orbit parameters
Perihermion	590 km (370 mi)
Apohermion	11,640 km (7,230 mi)
Inclination	90°
Horizon 2000+ ← LISA Pathfinder