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Robotic Spacecraft (Astronomy, Planetary, Earth, Solar/Heliophysics) => Space Science Coverage => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 02/26/2007 01:08 pm

Title: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/26/2007 01:08 pm
BepiColombo, ESA's mission to explore planet Mercury, has been definitively 'adopted' by the Agency's Science Programme Committee (SPC) last Friday. The mission will now start its industrial implementation phase, to prepare for launch in August 2013.

More at:
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMC8XBE8YE_index_0.html (http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMC8XBE8YE_index_0.html)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Orbiter Obvious on 02/26/2007 10:17 pm
Interesting. That's a lot of money for ESA to be spending?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: mr.columbus on 02/27/2007 07:47 am
Quote
Orbiter Obvious - 26/2/2007  6:17 PM

Interesting. That's a lot of money for ESA to be spending?

Yes, Bepicolombo is one of ESA's large missions (650 million EUR range).

Here is are some tidbits from the Aviation week from Feb 2007 - the press release also gives a inside on the amount of medium and large missions in the 2015-2025 timeframe:
-------------------
The European Space Agency will split a €329-million ($424.4-million) prime contract for Bepi Colombo Mercury mission, the agency's next major science project, between Astrium and Alcatel Alenia Space. Astrium Germany will be overall prime contractor, with Astrium U.K. and Alcatel Alenia Italy as co-primes, says Jacques Louet, ESA's director of science projects. But Astrium Germany will shoulder the full program risk under a "political expedient" approved last week by ESA's industrial policy committee. The green light for the €665-million mission is to be given by ESA's science program board later this month, along with a call for ideas for the next round of science missions planned for 2015-25. Three large (€650-million) and three medium (€300-million) missions are expected to be proposed for the tender, expected to be realized in October. The first, a medium mission, would be launched around 2017. To ensure approval, Louet said, science planners will propose €200 million in cuts through 2015. The bulk of the savings--€110 million--will come by offering to merge ESA's Solar Orbiter mission with NASA's four-satellite Sentinel project, eliminating one Sentinel and carrying the four remaining units aloft on the same launcher, with shared instrument packages.
-------------------
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Stephan on 02/27/2007 06:07 pm
I didn't know that it would be a joint mission with JAXA.
Any info about the kind of electric propulsion that will be used ?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 01/18/2008 07:27 pm
The industrial development of BepiColombo, Europe's first mission to Mercury, has been officially kicked off. The prime contract, awarded by ESA to Astrium, was signed today during a ceremony that took place in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Full story:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM7UR3MDAF_index_0.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Jirka Dlouhy on 01/18/2008 08:00 pm
Quote
jacqmans - 18/1/2008  9:27 PM

The industrial development of BepiColombo, Europe's first mission to Mercury, has been officially kicked off. The prime contract, awarded by ESA to Astrium, was signed today during a ceremony that took place in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Full story:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM7UR3MDAF_index_0.html

This mission is developed in colaboration ESA and JAXA.

Good luck BepiColombo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Fabien on 02/01/2008 05:47 am
Do we know precisely what engine will drive BepiColombo ? They have been aiming at using T6 from Qinetic a few years ago.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 01/18/2011 02:06 pm
ESA's Mercury mapper feels the heat
 
18 January 2011   
Key components of the ESA-led Mercury mapper BepiColombo have been tested in a specially upgraded European space simulator. ESA's Large Space Simulator is now the most powerful in the world and the only facility capable of reproducing Mercury's hellish environment for a full-scale spacecraft.

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMNBC6SXIG_index_0.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 06/01/2011 09:26 am
Hot stuff: the making of BepiColombo

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMZEUISDNG_index_0.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 08/22/2011 01:16 pm
ESA simulates scorching sunlight for BepiColombo mission to Mercury

22 August 2011

ESA is recreating the intense sunlight and sustained heat encountered around Mercury, the innermost planet of the Solar System, inside the largest vacuum chamber in Europe.
 
The Netherlands-based test campaign is evaluating ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), part of the multi-spacecraft BepiColombo mission to Mercury.

A highly accurate, full-scale engineering model of the final MPO arrived at ESA’s ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk from Thales Alenia Space Italy in Turin on 29 July. It has since been placed inside the Large Space Simulator, the largest vacuum chamber in Europe, which is big enough to house an up-ended double-decker bus, and can maintain space-quality vacuum for weeks on end.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Space_Engineering/SEMEV8RTJRG_0.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 08/22/2011 01:20 pm
Bepi Colombo

ESA´s web pages

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/120391_index_0_m.html

http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Operations/SEMYRMQJNVE_0.html

JAXA´s web page

http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/bepi/index_e.html

-------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftCV8lvw_Hc
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/22/2011 02:23 pm
Thread title changed to include JAXA on request.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/12/2011 01:29 pm
Mercury Planetary Orbiter wraps up for hot work

8 Sep 2011

http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/news-and-events/2011/Sep/mercury-planetary-orbiter-wraps-up-for-hot-work

------------

UK involvement in BepiColombo

http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/missions/bepicolombo-europes-mission-to-mercury
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/15/2011 07:13 pm
Arianespace to launch BepiColombo spacecraft on first European mission to Mercury

Evry, September 15, 2011

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace today announced the signature of a contract for the launch of the BepiColombo spacecraft, designed to explore the planet Mercury.

The launch is scheduled for July 2014, using an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

BepiColombo is a joint scientific mission led by ESA in conjunction with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The spacecraft comprises two probes that will be injected into separate orbits around the planet: ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), and JAXA's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO).

Each of these two probes will be fitted with a suite of high-precision instruments to carry out an exhaustive study of Mercury.

BepiColombo will be built by Astrium GmbH and weigh about 4,400 kg at launch. The spacecraft will leave the Earth with a hyperbolic excess velocity of 3.36 km/s.

After signing the contract, ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain said, "With BepiColombo, Europe continues to explore our Solar System. After Mars Express, Venus Express and the Huygens probe to Titan, we are now gearing up to explore a planet that is very close to the Sun, key to understanding the formation of our Solar System, and yet still very mysterious. For the European Space Agency, it's also an excellent example of scientific teamwork, since we are sharing this experience with the Japanese space agency. After the successful launch of Herschel and Planck back in 2009 and before the launch of the ATV-3 and Alphasat next year, Ariane 5 again demonstrates its extreme flexibility, which will soon be complemented by Soyuz and Vega.”

Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & EO of Arianespace, added: "We are both proud and honored to be given this opportunity to support space science and serve the European Space Agency, teaming up with JAXA on this program. Arianespace deploys a complete range of launch vehicles, Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, to guarantee independent access to space for Europe and provide the most appropriate launch solutions for European government satellites."

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading launch service & solutions company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled family of launchers, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of 15 September 2011, Arianespace had launched with Ariane launchers a total of 296 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a backlog of 20 Ariane 5 and 17 Soyuz launches, equal to more than three years of business.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2011/9-15-2011-BepiColombo.asp
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/20/2011 10:20 am
BepiColombo Mercury explorer to be launched on Ariane
 
15 September 2011

Reaching one of the most mysterious planets in our Solar System takes enormous power and finesse. ESA has now firmly entrusted its precious Mercury explorer to Europe’s largest rocket – the Ariane 5.
 
ESA today signed the contract with Arianespace to launch its BepiColombo mission on an Ariane 5 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Europe's first mission to probe the Solar System's innermost planet will depart in July 2014.

BepiColombo's sensors will completely map Mercury at different wavelengths, charting the planet's mineralogy and elemental composition.

It will reveal the planet's interior structure and probe Mercury's magnetic field.

ESA is leading the mission, flying it in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The mission's two orbiters will be injected into separate orbits around Mercury: ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Japan's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter. 
 
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMPRL0UDSG_index_0.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 11/30/2011 03:47 pm
November 29, 2011 Updated

MMO flight model first integration test

The first integration test for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) flight model is underway at the Flight Environment Test Building, Sagamihara Campus.

This test is the first comprehensive test on the satellite flight model to mainly verify the electric interface with signals and commands as well as the mechanical interface.

http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/bepi/index_e.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 12/13/2011 01:18 pm
Structural model of the BepiColombo Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter at ESTEC

07 Dec 2011

The BepiColombo Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter Structural Model arrived at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands on 7 November 2011, having been flown from Japan. In the coming weeks, the four components that make up the Mercury Composite Spacecraft will be prepared for integration into their launch configuration in preparation for an acoustic and mechanical test campaign.

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=49739
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 12/27/2011 02:55 pm
JAXA´s brochure

http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/brochure/pdf/04/sat27.pdf
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 02/29/2012 11:06 am
BepiColombo Mercury mission to be launched in 2015

28 Feb 2012

BepiColombo, an ESA mission to the planet Mercury in collaboration with the Japanese space agency, JAXA, is now planned for launch in a window opening in August 2015.

While ESA had previously been targeting a launch in July 2014, a 2015 option has always been built in to the development plan, as part of the risk mitigation strategy.

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=50105
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 05/02/2012 01:44 pm
BepiColombo Planetary Orbiter and Transfer Module mated for first time

27 Apr 2012 15:08

The Structural and Thermal Models of the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Mercury Transfer Module were mated for the first time on 11 April 2012. The mating was performed to accurately position the inter-module hardware on the transfer module.

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=50301
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 07/11/2012 01:35 pm
BepiColombo Composite Spacecraft Mass Properties Measurements at ESTEC

10 Jul 2012

The mass properties of the BepiColombo Mercury Composite Spacecraft have been measured. This is the first time that the spacecraft structural and thermal model has been fully integrated, producing the configuration in which it will be launched and effect the transfer to Mercury.

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=50552 (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=50552)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 08/17/2012 08:04 pm
Good vibrations for BepiColombo
 
17 August 2012

Mimicking the intense vibrations experienced by a satellite during launch, the engineering model of the BepiColombo mission to Mercury has been subjected to similar forces at ESA’s spacecraft test facilities.

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMSTQYXP5H_index_0.html

BepiColombo vertical vibration test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEwc6Poi4dg&feature=plcp

BepiColombo horizontal vibration test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX2sf5xDkBk&feature=plcp
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 08/27/2012 01:15 pm
The shock of separation
 
27 August 2012

The BepiColombo mission to Mercury has undergone a series of shock tests at ESA’s test facilities to replicate conditions it will experience during its intense ride into space. This video shows tests to mimic the moment it separates from the launch vehicle.

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM4IA4Y96H_index_0.html

Simulating separation shock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhTHvaUZh0k&feature=plcp
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: plutogno on 09/10/2012 12:15 pm
anybody has a detailed timeline of BepiColombo (flybys etc.) after the latest delay?
the ESA mission site http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=48871 only has the launch and arrival dates (15 August 2015 and 27 January 2022).
I have made a quick google search, but I have not found anything useful. most of the links date back to when BC was supposed to fly in 2014.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: nethegauner on 09/11/2012 03:19 pm
anybody has a detailed timeline of BepiColombo (flybys etc.) after the latest delay?

One year after launch, the MCS will be back in Earth's vicinity to perform a gravity assist maneuver. Following that, two fly-bys at venus are planned to occur in 2016 with four Mercury fly-bys in the 2017 to 2019 time frame. Sorry, I do not have more specific dates for the 2015 launch scenario -- but how is that for a start?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: GClark on 09/11/2012 06:03 pm
Does the plan still include phasing orbits and a Lunar flyby to depart Earth?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: plutogno on 09/11/2012 06:05 pm
thanks everyone, but I was looking for more specific dates (at least month and year)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/12/2012 01:44 pm
anybody has a detailed timeline of BepiColombo (flybys etc.) after the latest delay?
the ESA mission site http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=48871 only has the launch and arrival dates (15 August 2015 and 27 January 2022).
I have made a quick google search, but I have not found anything useful. most of the links date back to when BC was supposed to fly in 2014.

You have been looking very close.  ;)

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=47346

Quote
Key mission dates

Date                            Mission event
15 August 2015           Launch
14 August 2016           Earth flyby
25 November 2017      First Venus flyby
18 July 2018                Second Venus flyby
15 February 2019        First Mercury flyby
07 November 2019      Second Mercury flyby
26 January 2021          Third Mercury flyby
08 March 2021             Fourth Mercury flyby
27 January 2022          Arrival at Mercury
27 April 2023               End of nominal mission
27 April 2024               End of extended mission
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 12/24/2012 12:34 pm
December 20, 2012 Updated

BepiColombo: Development progressing smoothly

JAXA is performing a manufacturing test of the bus and the scientific equipment for the Mercury Magnetosphereric Orbiter (MMO) flight model.

Those devices whose manufacturing test has been completed are being installed into the satellite main body one by one. After all devices are assembled, the satellite will undergo further tests for about a year including the electrical system test and mechanical environment test.

http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/bepi/topics_e.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Jester on 02/14/2013 10:37 am
Currently at ESTEC doing bake out (almost done)

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=51335
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 02/14/2013 10:48 am
Currently at ESTEC doing bake out (almost done)

http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=51335

Recently (February 3rd) I was at a presentation at the Aviodrome in the Netherlands. Presentation was given by the ESA projectmanager for BepiColombo (Jan van Casteren). He told lot's of interesting stuff. Particularly about the way the orbital insertion of Bepi Colombo at Mercury will be handled.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Prober on 02/18/2013 06:14 pm
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 02/19/2013 07:15 am
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=51335

BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter Proto-Flight Mechanical and Propulsion Bus undergoes bake-out

05 Feb 2013 09:31
The BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter Mechanical and Propulsion Bus Proto-Flight Model (the structure with integrated heat pipes and chemical propulsion subsystem) has been baked out in the Phenix thermal vacuum facility at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

This process involved heating the MPB to 60 °C in a vacuum for 20 days to remove any contaminants that would outgas in space. Given the extremes of temperature to which BepiColombo will be exposed – in excess of 350 °C on the parts illuminated by the Sun, -120 °C or less on the parts exposed to cold space – prevention of outgassing is important because the outgassing products from the hot areas of the spacecraft may recondense on colder areas or be photochemically deposited on Sun-illuminated surfaces by ultraviolet radiation.

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Jester on 02/20/2013 09:54 am
And we got some snow in return of all those thermal tests..

P.S.
The 23 day bake-out is now done, and the new ESTEC Test Centre’s Phenix thermal vacuum facility worked great.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 03/01/2013 08:52 am
How to cook a spacecraft

27 February 2013

The faint aroma of hot metal filled the surrounding cleanroom as the hatch to ESA’s newest test facility was slid aside, concluding a 23-day ‘bake-out’ of the largest segment of ESA’s mission to Mercury.

Ending on the early hours of 14 February, this test ensured ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter – MPO, part of the multi-module BepiColombo mission – was cleaned of potential contaminants in advance of its 2015 mission to the inner Solar System.

The bake-out took place at ESA’s technical heart, ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, which includes a dedicated Test Centre equipped to simulate all aspects of the space environment.

MPO will fly to the innermost planet with Japan’s Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter, riding together on ESA’s propulsion module. But not before getting cooked first.

“Being close to Mercury and experiencing high temperatures, the release of molecules from spacecraft materials is expected to occur at higher quantities than for normal satellites,” explains Jan van Casteren, BepiColombo Project Manager.

“Such molecules are a contamination threat if they condense on sensitive surfaces, so we need to minimise outgassing in order to protect our delicate scientific instrumentation on the spacecraft.”

So an initial bake-out of the various spacecraft segments is essential for cleaning purposes – in this case MPO’s ‘Proto-Flight Model’, incorporating its propulsion system and heat pipes that regulate its temperature.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Technology/How_to_cook_a_spacecraft
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 03/01/2013 08:54 am
And we got some snow in return of all those thermal tests..

No surprise there with 1500 liters of liquid nitrogen going thru those systems every hour, for 23 days.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 03/15/2013 08:46 am
The mercury rises for BepiColumbo

The Structural and Thermal Model of the BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module in the Large Space Simulator at ESA’s test centre in the Netherlands. The image was taken on 20 February 2013 ahead of a 12-day Sun-simulation test that began 26 February.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/The_mercury_rises_for_BepiColombo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/04/2013 09:01 pm
Two out of three modules of the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury, due to launch in 2015. The Mercury Transfer Module, bottom, will transport the mission to Mercury orbit using chemical and electric propulsion. The Mercury Planetary Orbiter, above it, will image the planet with a variety of cameras and spectrometers. In addition an additional module, Japan's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, not seen here, will study Mercury's mysteriously strong magnetic field.

Credit: ESA-Anneke Le Floc'h
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Jester on 10/04/2013 09:49 pm
Thermal model on display, on sunday at ESTEC bay 4
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 07/10/2014 05:33 pm
Quote
TURIN, Italy — Managers of Europe’s ambitious BepiColombo mission to Mercury, which began development with cost overruns and schedule delays, said the program has now stabilized and is on track to meet its mid-2016 launch date.

The mission, which includes a European orbiter, a Japanese orbiter and a transfer module to carry them to Mercury orbit, is now expected to cost the European Space Agency about 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion). That sum includes 170 million euros for launch aboard a European Ariane 5 ECA rocket, a 7.5-year voyage to Mercury orbit and at least two years of operations.

http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/41205after-early-difficulties-esa-led-mercury-mission-on-track-for-2016-launch
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 07/22/2014 01:26 pm
#13: BepiColombo integration and functional testing completed at Thales Alenia Space in Turin

21 July 2014 16:40

Integration and functional testing activities for the protoflight models of the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter, Mercury Transfer Module, and Magnetospheric Orbiter Sunshield and Interface Structure have now been completed at the Thales Alenia Space facility in Turin, Italy. All the mission components have been, or will soon be, delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, where additional integration tasks and an environmental testing campaign will be performed.

http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/54364-13-bepicolombo-integration-and-functional-testing-completed-at-thales-alenia-space-in-turin/

Image credit: Thales Alenia Space
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 10/02/2014 08:58 pm
Inside BepiColombo's Mercury Transfer Module

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/Inside_BepiColombo_s_Mercury_Transfer_Module

Image credit: ESA–A. Le Floc’h
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 11/17/2014 03:12 pm
On 30 October, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter, one of the two spacecraft of ESA’s BepiColombo mission, was installed in the Large Space Simulator at the ESTEC technical centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

BepiColombo, Europe’s first mission to study Mercury, is a joint mission with Japan. Two spacecraft – the Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter – will fly in two different orbits around the planet to study it from complementary perspectives.

With launch planned for 2016, the scientists and engineers are busy checking the spacecraft. They are testing the internal connections, the operation of the instruments and spacecraft units, and the communication links between spacecraft and instruments under conditions that simulate what the mission will experience while in cruise as well as in orbit around Mercury.

This campaign includes a thermal–vacuum test in the space simulator. BepiColombo will be ESA’s first craft to operate so close to the Sun, enduring temperatures in excess of 350°C. This meant the chamber had to be updated to simulate the solar radiation at Mercury, which is about ten times higher than on Earth.

The tests are scheduled to start on 19 November and will last until early December.

Set to arrive at Mercury in 2024, BepiColombo will investigate properties of the innermost planet of our Solar System that are still mysterious, such as its high density, the fact that it is the only planet with a magnetic field similar to Earth’s, the much higher than expected amount of volatile elements detected by NASA’s Messenger probe and the nature of water ice that may exists in the permanently shadowed areas at the poles.


Credit: ESA–A. Le’Floch
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: catdlr on 01/05/2015 10:07 pm
Testing ESA's Mercury mission

Published on Jan 5, 2015

Europe’s Mercury mission is moved through ESA’s ESTEC Test Centre in this new video, positioning it for testing inside the largest vacuum chamber in Europe, for a trial by vacuum.

BepiColombo, Europe’s first mission to study Mercury, is a joint mission with Japan. Two spacecraft – the Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter – will fly in two different paths around the planet to study it from complementary perspectives.

Flight hardware for the mission is undergoing testing at ESA’s Technical Centre, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the largest spacecraft test facility in Europe, to prepare for its 2016 launch.

The Mercury Planetary Orbiter was placed inside the chamber in late October for ‘thermal–vacuum’ testing. It will sit in vacuum until early December, subjected to the equivalent temperature extremes that will be experienced in Mercury orbit.

Liquid nitrogen runs through the walls of the chamber to recreate the chill of empty space, while an array of lamps focuses simulated sunlight 10 times more intense than on Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Fsl8am3QA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 04/02/2015 05:01 pm
BepiColombo launch moved to 2017

30 March 2015

The launch of BepiColombo, an ESA mission to explore the planet Mercury in collaboration with the Japanese space agency, JAXA, is now planned to take place during a one month long window starting on 27 January 2017.

http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/55693-bepicolombo-launch-moved-to-2017/
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 04/29/2015 03:54 pm
Unboxing Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter flight model

Unboxing the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter at ESA’s Test Centre, Japan’s contribution to the joint BepiColombo mission to the innermost world of our Solar System.

MMO will sit at the top of the BepiColombo stack on launch in January 2017. It will be placed atop ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), which will be attached in turn to a carrier spacecraft, the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), tasked with transporting the other two via highly efficient electric propulsion.

While MPO will go into an approximately 400 x 1500 km mapping orbit around Mercury, MMO will enter a highly elliptical orbit to study the planet’s enigmatically strong magnetic field.

The two spacecraft employ differing strategies to cope with temperatures in excess of 350°C involved in operating around the closest world to the Sun. The octagonal MMO will spin 15 times per minute to distribute heat evenly across its highly polished surface.

MPO, meanwhile, will maintain a steady attitude, covered with high-temperature insulation with a rear-facing radiator behind protective louvres that will dump waste heat into space.

But since MMO cannot spin during BepiColombo’s seven-year cruise phase, it will be fitted with a dedicated sunshield, the Magnetospheric Orbiter Sunshield and Interface Structure.

MPO has undergone thermal balance/thermal vacuum testing, with MTM scheduled to do the same towards the end of the year.

MMO’s arrival at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, on 20 April will allow follow-on mechanical testing of the complete stack, known as the Mercury Composite Spacecraft.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2015/04/Unboxing_Mercury_Magnetospheric_Orbiter_flight_model

Credit: ESA–A. Le Floc'h
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 07/23/2015 01:59 pm
BepiColombo antenna in LSS

The antenna that will connect Europe’s BepiColombo with Earth is being tested for the extreme conditions it must endure orbiting Mercury.

The trial is taking place over 10 days inside ESA’s Large Space Simulator, which, at 15 m high and 10 m across, is cavernous enough to accommodate an upended double decker bus.

The 1.5 m-diameter high-gain antenna, plus its boom and support structure, are subjected to a shaft of intense sunlight in vacuum conditions, while gradually rotated through 90º.

The antenna will be part of ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter, one of two main components of the January 2017 BepiColombo mission – the other being Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter.

The two will be launched together in a stack, carried by the Mercury Transfer Module for their seven-year journey towards the Solar System’s innermost world.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2015/07/BepiColombo_antenna_in_LSS

Image credit: ESA–A. Le Floc'h
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 02/01/2016 11:14 am
Radio testing of BepiColombo orbiter

If ESA’s Mercury orbiter of the BepiColombo mission seems to stand at an unusual angle above its test chamber floor, that’s because it does – intentionally so.

The orbiter underwent ‘electromagnetic compatibility, radiated emission and susceptibility’ testing last month inside the Maxwell chamber of ESA’s ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Maxwell’s shielded metal walls and doors form a ‘Faraday cage’ to block unwanted external electromagnetic radiation, while its internal walls are cover with ‘anechoic’ radio-absorbing foam pyramids to mimic boundless space.

“We are performing two types of compatibility testing,” explained Marco Gaido, assembly, integration and test manager for BepiColombo.

“First, we are checking the craft is electrically compatible with the electrical field generated by the Ariane 5 launcher that will deliver it into orbit, with no possibility of interference with BepiColombo’s receivers.

“Secondly, we are testing if there is any risk of incompatibility between the different subsystems of the spacecraft itself when it orbits Mercury. In particular, we want to check that its trio of antennas on top can communicate properly with Earth.

“Accordingly, it was deliberately oriented to simulate a worst-case scenario for test purposes.”

The orbiter was positioned to allow deployment of its medium-gain antenna in terrestrial gravity. The high-gain antenna reflector meanwhile was deployed in a worst-case position, supported by a dedicated fixture.

The spacecraft was tilted by means of a large platform while the high-gain antenna was supported by a tower made of wood, transparent to radio waves. All test cables used were shielded to reduce potential interference.

ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter will be launched to Mercury together with Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter aboard an ESA-built carrier spacecraft, the Mercury Transfer Module. This entire three-module BepiColombo stack will undergo similar testing at ESTEC.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2016/01/Radio_testing_of_BepiColombo_orbiter

Image credit: ESA–G. Porter, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Salo on 02/25/2016 05:33 pm
https://www.communitynews.com.au/news/Watch-this-space-in-WA/7682573
Watch this space in WA

INTERNATIONAL space experts converged in New Norcia last week for the inauguration of an antenna at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ground tracking station.

The antenna will be used to communicate with rockets and newly launched satellites.

It was opened after ESA had to retire its Perth antenna in Cullacabardee.

ESA ground stations infrastructure and operations head Yves Doat, who is based in Germany, said the antenna at New Norcia would enable the agency to continue its Perth operations.

“We have moved the tracking capabilities from Perth here so it is very important for us,” he said.

The 4.5m-diameter dish joins a 35m antenna, which combine to track satellites launched from the agency’s spaceport on the north coast of South America.

“It is the only location we have in this part of the world,” Mr Doat said.

“We have above WA the separation, the place where the spacecraft gets out of the launcher and that’s where we capture the spacecraft and we can track it.

“It is something that will be critical for our future launch and early orbit phase; this is when we launch new spacecraft into deep space.”

Mr Doat said the antenna provided vital support by driving the large antenna, which was too big to see spacecraft when they were separated from the launcher.

“We use the smaller antenna which we point towards the spacecraft and it drives the big antenna from there,” he said.

“Then with the big antenna we acquire the signal and follow the spacecraft until deep space is reached.”

It will be used to support high profile missions, including ExoMars, the joint mission to Mars with Russia and NASA in March, and BepiColombo, Europe’s mission to Mercury, in 2018.

“I am looking forward for this future mission like ExoMars and BepiColombo; this is fantastic to realise that we are travelling so far away and can follow them. The ground stations are a really fantastic world where we are the gateway to space. Without the ground station all the missions would not fly,” Mr Doat said.

He encouraged people to take an interest in the agency’s work.

“I think it’s important that everyone knows what we are doing,” he said.

“It’s not on every corner that we have installed a deep space station and it’s really a very interesting technology with fantastic results and for us it’s important to share it among the people, whether it’s in Europe or Australia.”
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 04/28/2016 07:40 pm
T6 ION THRUSTER FIRING

The eerie blue exhaust trail of an ion thruster during a test firing. A quartet of these highly efficient T6 thrusters is being installed on ESA’s BepiColombo spacecraft to Mercury at ESA’s ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

The Mercury Transfer Module will carry Europe’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter together to Sun’s innermost planet over the course of 6.5 years.

“BepiColombo would not be possible in its current form without these T6 thrusters,” explains ESA propulsion engineer Neil Wallace.

“Standard chemical thrusters face a fundamental upper limit on performance, set by the amount of energy in the chemical reaction that heats the ejected propellant producing the thrust.

“Ion thrusters can reach much higher exhaust speeds, typically an order of magnitude greater, because the propellant is first ionised and then accelerated using electrical energy generated by the solar panels. The higher velocity means less propellant is required.

“The down side is that the thrust levels are much lower and therefore the spacecraft acceleration is also low – meaning the thrusters have to be operating for long periods.

“However, in space there is nothing to slow us down, so over prolonged periods of thrusting the craft’s velocity is increased dramatically. Assuming the same mass of propellant, the T6 thrusters can accelerate BepiColombo to a speed 15 times greater than a conventional chemical thruster.”

The 22 cm-diameter T6 was designed for ESA by QinetiQ in the UK, whose expertise in electric propulsion stretches back to the 1960s.

It is an scaled-up version of the 10 cm T5 gridded ion thruster, which played a crucial role in ESA’s GOCE gravity-mapping mission by continuously compensating for vestigial atmospheric drag along its extremely-low orbit.

http://m.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2016/04/T6_ion_thruster_firing
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 04/30/2016 04:29 pm
T6 ion thrusters installed on BepiColombo

An array of four T6 thrusters – known as the Solar Electric Propulsion System –  being fitted to BepiColombo’s Mercury Transfer Module at ESA’s ESTEC Test Centre during April 2016. The MTM is a dedicated transport spacecraft that will carry Europe’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter together to the innermost planet from the Sun over the course of a 6.5-year cruise phase. The highly efficient T6 was designed for ESA by QinetiQ in the UK, whose expertise in electric propulsion stretches back to the 1960s.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2016/04/T6_ion_thrusters_installed_on_BepiColombo

Image credit: ESA–M. Gaido
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/07/2016 02:14 pm
Mercury Transfer Module with integrated ion thrusters

The base of ESA’s Mercury Transfer Module with its four T6 ion thrusters fully fitted for its 6.5 year journey to Mercury, along with the rest of the BepiColombo spacecraft.

The module will carry Europe’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter together to the Sun’s innermost planet.

“Completing the integration of the solar electric propulsion thruster floor is a major achievement for the BepiColombo project,” says project manager Ulrich Reininghaus.

The four ion thrusters are positioned at the bottom of the spacecraft, known as the ‘engine bay’, which provides the thrust during the mission’s journey, including long firing periods lasting several months at a time.

By ionising their propellant plume using electrical energy from the solar panels, the T6 thrusters can accelerate BepiColombo with an efficiency 15 times greater than a conventional chemical thruster.

The work took place at ESA’s centre in the Netherlands, the largest spacecraft testing facility in Europe.

The 22 cm-diameter T6 was designed for ESA by QinetiQ in the UK, whose expertise in electric propulsion stretches back to the 1960s.

It is a scaled-up version of the 10 cm T5 gridded ion thruster, which played a crucial role in ESA’s GOCE gravity-mapper by continuously compensating for vestigial atmospheric drag along its extremely low orbit.

Currently the Test Centre team is preparing the Large Space Simulator for a Sun simulation test planned for the end of this year.

“This will be a very challenging test,” says Georg Deutsch, ETS test programme manager. “Not only will the facility simulate a sun beam at 11000W/m2 but the facility’s vacuum pumps will have to cope with the release of Xenon gas caused by verifying the electrical propulsion system in vacuum”.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2016/09/Mercury_Transfer_Module_with_integrated_ion_thrusters

Image credit: ESA–U. Reininghaus
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 11/30/2016 08:16 pm
King Philippe views BepiColombo
 
HM King Philippe of the Belgians views the Mercury Planetary Orbiter spacecraft, part of the BepiColombo mission due to launch in 2018, inside the ESTEC Test Centre, during the royal visit to ESTEC on 29 November 2016.
 
Credit: ESA–G. Porter
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: astropl on 12/10/2016 02:15 pm
BepiColombo launch rescheduled for October 2018

Source (http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/58591-bepicolombo-launch-rescheduled-for-october-2018/).
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/10/2016 08:59 pm
My question: October 2018 will conflict with the also long-awaited and long-delayed launch of JWST. Will the Mercury mission take precedence due to the limited planetary launch windows?
***
BepiColombo launch rescheduled for October 2018
Source (http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/58591-bepicolombo-launch-rescheduled-for-october-2018/).
BepiColombo launch rescheduled for October 2018

25 November 2016
An ambitious, multi-spacecraft mission to explore the planet Mercury in unprecedented detail is now scheduled for lift-off from Europe's spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana, in October 2018.

BepiColombo, a joint project of ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), was scheduled for launch in April 2018, but the mission team has decided to delay lift-off for six months.

The decision was made after a major electrical problem was detected during preparations for a thermal test of the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), one of the major spacecraft elements of BepiColombo.

"Launch during the April 2018 window will not be possible, due to a problem in one of the power processing units," said ESA's project manager, Ulrich Reininghaus. "We have identified the root cause, but both units will have to be recertified for flight and this is expected to put back our preparations by about four months. This means the earliest opportunity to launch will be October 2018."

The six-month postponement will have no impact on the science return of the mission. However, the new flight time to Mercury will be 7.2 years, and BepiColombo will now arrive in December 2025, one year later than previously anticipated. The seven-year cruise to the innermost planet of our Solar System will include 9 flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury.

"Unfortunately, we will have to wait longer than planned to reach Mercury," said Johannes Benkhoff, ESA's BepiColombo project scientist. "However, we have full confidence that the mission will be a success and return groundbreaking results."

BepiColombo comprises two scientific spacecraft: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO). Both of these will be delivered to the smallest planet in the Solar System by the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM). Shortly before Mercury orbit insertion, the MTM will be jettisoned from the spacecraft stack.

The MTM, MPO and MMO are currently undergoing intensive tests in ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. Everything is going well with the MPO and MMO. The last of the instrument flight models was installed recently on the MPO.

Once the MTM is back on track, the entire BepiColombo stack will be subjected to vibration testing – expected in April next year.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: as58 on 12/11/2016 04:27 pm
If I remember correctly, when the mission got final approval in 2009 the launch was supposed to happen in 2014. BepiColombo has had a very troubled development.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 12/12/2016 11:01 am
If I remember correctly, when the mission got final approval in 2009 the launch was supposed to happen in 2014. BepiColombo has had a very troubled development.
Courtesy of being a very complex mission with multiple "firsts".
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 02/03/2017 10:47 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWtwMqKeLK4
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 03/07/2017 08:07 pm
https://presse.cnes.fr/en/france-russia-space-cooperation-cnes-and-roscosmos-study-mercury-phebus-instrument-bepicolombo

Quote
CNES and Roscosmos have signed an agreement concerning the PHEBUS ultraviolet spectrometer designed to study Mercury’s exosphere as part of the science payload on the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) for the European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission.

Quote
The Russian contribution is being led by IKI RAN, the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, mandated by Roscosmos. In France, the LATMOS atmospheres, environments and space observations laboratory, part of the national scientific research centre CNRS, has been selected for this mission.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 03/07/2017 08:12 pm
BepiColombo solar wing deployment test

ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter of the BepiColombo mission, with its 7.5 m-long solar wing fully extended.

The image was taken during testing carried out at ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands last month, prior to its launch in October 2018. It shows the ‘back’ side of the solar panels, with cabling that will eventually be connected to the main spacecraft body. One of the back panels is also reflective, to redirect stray light away from the spacecraft body.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/03/BepiColombo_solar_wing_deployment_test2

Image credit: ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 05/23/2017 10:04 am
ESA's brochure

http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/ESA_Publications_Brochures/ESA_BR-335_BepiColombo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/12/2017 09:27 am
Quote
Mercury Transfer Module solar wing deployment

Released 12/06/2017 9:25 am
Copyright ESA–C. Carreau, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Description

Spanning 14 m from the spacecraft body, this impressive solar wing is one of two attached to ESA’s BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module.

The solar wing deployment mechanisms were tested last month at ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands as part of final checks ahead of the mission’s October 2018 launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

During testing, the five panels were supported from above to simulate the weightlessness of space.

The wings will be folded against the spacecraft’s body inside the Ariane 5 launch vehicle and will only open once in space. Mechanisms lock each panel segment in place. They can be rotated with the solar array drive mechanism attached to the main body.

Despite travelling towards the Sun, the transfer module requires a large solar array. Temperature constraints mean they cannot directly face the Sun for long periods without degrading, so they have to be angled and thus require a greater area to meet BepiColombo’s power demands.

The module will use a combination of electric propulsion and multiple gravity-assists at Earth, Venus and Mercury to carry two scientific orbiters to the innermost planet in our Solar System.

After the 7.2 year journey, ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter will separate from the transfer module and enter to their own orbits. They will make complementary measurements of Mercury’s interior, surface, exosphere and magnetosphere.

The data will tell us more about the origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star, providing a better understanding of the overall evolution of our own Solar System as well as exoplanet systems.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/06/Mercury_Transfer_Module_solar_wing_deployment (http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/06/Mercury_Transfer_Module_solar_wing_deployment)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 06/14/2017 02:17 pm
Press Release
N°16-2017

Paris, 14 June 2017

Call for media: Last chance to view ESA’s Mercury Explorer BepiColombo

Media representatives are invited to a briefing on BepiColombo, ESA and JAXA’s joint mission to Mercury, and to view the spacecraft before it leaves for Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, for launch next year.   

Mercury is the least explored planet of the inner Solar System. BepiColombo is set to follow up on many of the intriguing results of NASA’s Messenger mission, probing deeper into Mercury’s mysteries than ever before. 

It will examine the peculiarities of its internal structure and magnetic field generation, and how it interacts with the Sun and solar wind. It will investigate surface features and chemistry, such as the ice in permanently shadowed craters at the poles. The mission’s science will help revolutionise our understanding of the formation of our Solar System, and in the evolution of planets close to their parent stars.

To achieve these goals, ESA and JAXA will deliver two spacecraft into complementary orbits around the planet. The spacecraft will make the seven-year journey to Mercury together, carried by a transfer module. 

The complete spacecraft stack is currently undergoing final testing in its launch configuration, and will be available for viewing on 6 July as part of a dedicated briefing organised by ESA, JAXA, Airbus and Thales Alenia at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

The spacecraft will leave Europe in March next year ahead of its scheduled October 2018 launch from Kourou. 

The media briefing will provide an overview of the project and will highlight the scientific gain that will ultimately come from this mission. 

There will be ample opportunities for interviews with space experts and for taking photos and videos of the spacecraft in the cleanroom.
 

Programme outline

10:00
Doors open

11:00–11:10 
Alvaro Gimenez, Director of Science, ESA:
Welcome;
BepiColombo’s role for ESA in exploring in our Solar System

11:10–11:20 
Hitoshi Kuninaka, Vice Director General, ISAS: 
BepiColombo’s role for JAXA and ISAS

11:20–11:25
Mathilde Royer, Head of Earth observation, Navigation and Science, Airbus DS: BepiColombo built by an European consortium

11:25–11:35
Ulrich Reininghaus, ESA BepiColombo Project Manager:
Challenges of the mission and the development and project status quo 

11:35–11:45
Markus Schelkle, BepiColombo Project Manager, Airbus DS:
Technologies for power generation 

11:45–11:55
Mauro Patroncini, BepiColombo Project Manager, Thales Alenia Space:
Thermal protection to survive at Mercury

11:55–12:10
Hajime Hayakawa, JAXA BepiColombo Project Manager; 
Masaki Fujimoto, JAXA BepiColombo Project Scientist:
JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter and its science
 
12:10-12:25
Johannes Benkhoff, ESA BepiColombo Project Scientist:
ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and its science

12:25-13:20 
Question and answer session and opportunity for individual interviews

13:20–15:00 
Photo and video opportunity in the ESTEC clean room to see the BepiColombo spacecraft



Follow online

Webstreaming

https://livestream.com/ESA

Social media

Twitter: @BepiColombo. Ask questions via #AskESA.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: SMS on 07/05/2017 10:26 pm
BepiColombo’s journey to Mercury

Animation visualising BepiColombo’s 7.2 year journey to Mercury.

This animation is based on a launch date of 5 October, marking the start of the launch window in October 2018. It illustrates the gravity assist flybys that the spacecraft will make at Earth, Venus and Mercury before arriving at Mercury in December 2025.

More about the journey:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/BepiColombo/Journey_to_Mercury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yp-q1wqgig
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 08:47 am
Media briefing about to start.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:02 am
Japan following also
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:05 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:15 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:21 am
Future JAXA missions
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:24 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:29 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:34 am
Launch: October 05, 2018. 8 week launch window.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:39 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/06/2017 09:40 am
Quote
DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 6m6 minutes ago

Quick @BepiColombo visit this morning as they are our neighbors at #ESTEC impressive to see almost the full stack

https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/882895230428729345 (https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/882895230428729345)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:44 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:49 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 09:51 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:00 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:02 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:07 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:16 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:21 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:24 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:34 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:40 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 10:45 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/06/2017 12:39 pm
https://youtu.be/2jh3ViOpKqY (https://youtu.be/2jh3ViOpKqY)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/06/2017 02:46 pm
More later... here phone image
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 07/06/2017 03:20 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jh3ViOpKqY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jh3ViOpKqY)

That's a nice video, especially because it shows the status panel on the wall telling you what's going on. It's quite interesting to follow the frequency ramp-up while listening to the sound (and seeing the stack resonate at the structural frequencies).

It looks like they go from 0-100 Hz (sinusoidal) with an approximately exponential (?) frequency sweep. I assume this is a standard practice, and it doesn't look like it's trying to mimic the launch acoustic profile or duration for each frequency. Why is this so, and why is the frequency sweep at this speed considered ok for testing purposes? In particular, I'm wondering what gives confidence some component won't fail after N seconds in the [X,Y] frequency range, when being tested for M seconds only in that same frequency range (M<N).
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 07/06/2017 07:28 pm
BepiColombo - briefing replay

http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2017/07/BepiColombo_-_briefing_replay

https://youtu.be/tbZ0YmTrrMk



Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/07/2017 09:10 am
Briefing material handed out to the press during yesterdays event.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/08/2017 11:30 am
Quote
Nice video of @BepiColombo MTM electric propulsion thruster steering test done at #ESTEC @ESA_Tech @ESA_nl

https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/883647709940469761 (https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/883647709940469761)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Welsh Dragon on 07/08/2017 01:22 pm
Why do such low thrust engines need gimballing? I would have thought you just make them fixed and point the spacecraft. Or is it to allow for operation of fewer than all four thrusters, to keep thrust vector going through centre of mass in any arbitrary firing pattern?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/10/2017 03:46 pm
Just because we haven't written a standalone article for this one! And it has no mention of "SpaceX" in it and so that people are linked to Jacques' fine coverage of the recent media event..... :)

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/07/bepicolombo-shaked-stacked-mercury-mission/
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/10/2017 10:12 pm
Picture from ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/11/2017 09:23 am
https://youtu.be/5hgFOto0B8w
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/11/2017 09:40 am
BepiColombo was very kind to pose with me in the clean room.

I will have lots more photos later, will post them in L2
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/13/2017 09:29 am
It seems everyone wants their photo with BepiColombo :)

Quote
Operations image of the week: flight controllers who will fly @BepiColombo meet their spacecraft @JAXA_en http://m.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/07/Robot_meets_its_masters

https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/885402394674290689 (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/885402394674290689)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 07/13/2017 11:52 am
It seems everyone wants their photo with BepiColombo :)

Quote
Operations image of the week: flight controllers who will fly @BepiColombo meet their spacecraft @JAXA_en http://m.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/07/Robot_meets_its_masters

https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/885402394674290689 (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/885402394674290689)
Which is in fact very common throughout spaceflight history. It is just that most of the resulting images never make it to the general public.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 09/01/2017 07:34 pm
https://youtu.be/XSIFXqbZWRQ
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/28/2017 03:17 pm
Cross-posts from Arianespace launch schedule thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=6114.0):

BepiColombo launch date decision: unchanged.  NET October 5, 2018; NLT November 30

JWST launch delayed to 2019, date TBD.

https://twitter.com/AuerSusan/status/913002901047582723
Quote
Susanne Auer‏ @AuerSusan
An interesting detail from the #Arianespace #IAC2017 presentation:
#BepiColombo will launch 2018
#JWST one year later in 2019 #ESA #NASA

I should clarify that that "one year later" here just means in 2019, not "365 days after BepiColombo". I could have phrased that better in the tweet.

Original source is Jacques Breton, Arianespace VP Sales & Customers, speaking at IAC2017

Calapine aka Susanne Auer

Reason:
Clash of launch site preparation places with BepiColombo which has a planetary launch window to chase in October 2018.
***

My opinion: not unexpected, given the celestial mechanics "facts of life."
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/07/2017 01:55 pm
ESA image:

Quote
Mercury Transfer Module in space simulator

Edit to add esa info:

Quote
Title Mercury Transfer Module in space simulator
Released 07/12/2017 2:00 pm
Copyright ESA–C. Carreau , CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Description

The BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module has completed its final major test inside ESA’s Large Space Simulator, proving it will be able to withstand the temperature extremes it will experience on its journey to Mercury.

On the one hand, the mission will be exposed to the cold vacuum of space. On the other, it will travel close to the Sun, receiving 10 times the solar energy than we do on Earth. This translates to about 11 kW per sq m at Mercury, with the spacecraft expected to endure heating to about 350ºC, similar to a pizza oven.

Inside the simulator, the largest of its kind in Europe at 15m high and 10m wide, pumps create a vacuum a billion times lower than standard sea-level atmosphere, while the chamber’s walls are lined with tubes pumped with liquid nitrogen to create low temperatures of about –180ºC. At the same time, a set of 25kW IMAX projector-class lamps are used with mirrors to focus light onto the craft to generate the highest temperatures.

During the latest tests, carried out between 24 November and 4 December 2017, the module was rotated through 13º either side to monitor the heating and distribution. The ion engines were also activated – without creating thrust from an ion beam given the confines of the test chamber – to confirm that the module's electric propulsion system can operate in this challenging environment

The module is seen here stacked on a replica interface to mimic the science orbiters that it will be attached to during launch and the 7.2 year journey to Mercury. The four ion thrusters are seen on the top of module in this orientation. Not present in this test, the module will also be equipped with two solar wings that will unfold to a span of 30 m.

The transfer module’s job is to carry ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Japan’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter to the planet, where they will separate and enter their respective orbits. The craft will use a combination of gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury along with the transfer module’s ion thrusters to reach its destination.

The module will now be checked before the entire assembly is shipped to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana next year. With this last major test complete, the mission is on track to be launched in the two-month window opening on 5 October 2018.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/12/Mercury_Transfer_Module_in_space_simulator (http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/12/Mercury_Transfer_Module_in_space_simulator)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 03/09/2018 07:29 pm
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_gets_green_light_for_launch_site

BepiColombo gets green light for launch site

Quote
Europe’s first mission to Mercury will soon be ready for shipping to the spaceport to begin final preparations for launch.

The mission passed a major review yesterday, meaning that the three BepiColombo spacecraft, along with ground equipment and mission experts, are confirmed to start the move from ESA’s centre in the Netherlands to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at the end of next month. The launch window is open from 5 October until 29 November.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 03/09/2018 07:30 pm
BepiColombo journey timeline

Timeline of flybys during BepiColombo's 7.2 year journey to Mercury, starting with the opening of the nearly two month long launch window in October 2018.

https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/03/BepiColombo_journey_timeline

Image credit: ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 03/13/2018 09:50 am
Made for Mercury
 
On 6 March 2018, the BepiColombo engineering model was delivered to ESA’s mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
 
BepiColombo – ESA’s first mission to Mercury – is based on two spacecraft: the ESA-led Mercury Planetary Orbiter, with 11 experiments and instruments, and the Japanese space agency-led Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, carrying five experiments and instruments.
 
The engineering model delivered to Darmstadt comprises a 3D mock-up of the ESA module, plus a ‘flat-sat’ mock-up of the transfer module, which ties the ESA and Japanese modules together during their cruise to Mercury.
 
In this photo, Airbus technician Stanislaw Ballardt looks out from inside the ESA module during installation work on 7 March.
 
The engineering model is an electrically faithful replication of the most critical elements of the spacecraft’s main platform and flight control systems, such as its computers, mass memory and power systems.
 
Flight controllers will use the model throughout the mission to check software and procedures before uploading them to the real spacecraft. They will also train for flight events such as firing the electric thrusters, swinging by planets and separating the modules.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 03/13/2018 08:21 pm
BEPICOLOMBO IMAGE MONTAGE

http://m.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/03/BepiColombo_image_montage

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: TheFallen on 04/05/2018 04:36 am
Help give JAXA's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter an official name, and send your own name and message to Mercury!

http://isas-info.jp/mmo/en/

The deadline is April 9, at 10 AM JST (or 9 PM EDT, and 6 PM PDT on April 8 )
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/09/2018 11:39 am
Quote
This is getting real! @JAXA_MMO is packed inside a shipping container ready for its flight to spaceport Kourou in a few weeks time! #BepiColombo ow.ly/Dr9g30jnYsg

https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/983254750144679937
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 04/09/2018 01:06 pm
From (former) BepiColombo project manager Jan van Casteren:

- In all 50 containers are required to ship BepiColombo and all of its GSE and check-out equipment to Kourou.
- Critical stuff flies out to Kourou on four (4) flights of AN-124, from Schiphol airport in the Netherlands.
- Less critical stuff ships to Kourou on a single boat.
- Packing of BepiColombo and its GSE started several weeks ago.
- Mission still on track for launch in October 2018.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 04/17/2018 12:54 pm
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/04/Packing_MPO

MPO (the ESA orbiter) is almost packed and ready to start its voyage to French Guiana. Here pictured on the base of its transport container, ready to be enshrouded in it.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 04/24/2018 07:50 am
First (of four) An-124 flights taking Bepi-Colombo hardware, including the spacecraft, has departed Azores (fueling stopover between the Netherlands and French Guiana).


http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/04/ESA-BepiColombo-takes-to-the-Air.html


Meanwhile, Bepi-Colombo itself is enjoying its final moments in ESA's Dutch cleanrooms, as can be seen in the image gallery: http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/04/Packing_MPO3
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/24/2018 07:52 pm
Quote
The initial elements for #Europe’s history-making #Ariane5 mission to #Mercury have arrived in French Guiana! This was the first of four cargo flights that will deliver the #BepiColombo spacecraft and all handling/test equipment for pre-launch preparations. @ESA @JAXA_en

https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/988862986273153025
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 04/25/2018 09:59 am
https://youtu.be/TqY-xVxZim0
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/27/2018 03:40 pm
BepiColombo arrives at launch site for final pre-flight processing - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/04/bepicolombo-arrives-launch-site-pre-flight-processing/

- By Chris Gebhardt
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 04/28/2018 02:22 am
The main spacecraft (@Bepi in Twitter :) ) has safely landed in Cayenne and should be getting transported to Kourou by road.

Here upon its departure from Holland:
Quote from: @DutchSpace
Managed to capture @BepiColombo @ESA_Bepi while flying close to #ESTEC on it's way to Kourou
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: woods170 on 04/28/2018 04:46 pm
BepiColombo arrives at launch site for final pre-flight processing - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/04/bepicolombo-arrives-launch-site-pre-flight-processing/

- By Chris Gebhardt

Just a note: besides the four flight of AN-124 a LOT of GSE is being shipped to Kourou. "Shipped" as in: by boat.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 05/03/2018 09:34 am
MPO leaves Europe
 
ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) of the ESA–JAXA BepiColombo mission leaves Europe in an Antonov cargo plane for Kourou, French Guiana.
 
Credits: ESA–M.Cowan
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 05/03/2018 09:38 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/03/2018 05:47 pm
Quote
#Arianespace is proud to support #BepiColombo, @ESA and @JAXA_en’s mission to study the composition, geophysics, atmosphere, magnetosphere and history of the planet #Mercury! Preparations are continuing in French Guiana, where the third batch of elements have arrived.

https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/992087223343382528
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 05/10/2018 05:19 pm
MMO unpacked at Europe’s Spaceport

JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) of the ESA–JAXA BepiColombo mission is unpacked at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou.

https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/MMO_unpacked_at_Europe_s_Spaceport

Image credit: JAXA/ESA–M. Basile
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/28/2018 06:52 pm
Another ESA image of BepiColombo unpacked
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/05/2018 06:49 pm
Quote
Ariane 5   June 5, 2018
Payload preparations advance for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 flight with BepiColombo

The multi-month payload preparation phase is making progress for the upcoming BepiColombo mission to planet Mercury, which will be launched later this year on an Arianespace Ariane 5 flight from the Spaceport.

BepiColombo was developed in a joint effort of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It comprises three spacecraft modules and a sunshield, which were delivered along with ground support equipment and other essential hardware during a series of cargo flights in April and May.

Following their arrival in French Guiana and subsequent transfer by road to the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, the modules – including the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) and Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) – were removed from their protective shipping containers for inspection. Afterward, they were switched on and battery tested, then fitted with mechanical and electrical ground support systems.

Deep space exploration for BepiColombo

Additional activities to be performed include attaching solar wings to the three modules and testing their deployment mechanisms, dressing the spacecraft in protective insulation, installing the sunshield, conducting pressure tests, fueling and integration.

The BepiColombo mission is designed to study and understand Mercury’s composition, geophysics, atmosphere, magnetosphere and history. After arriving at Mercury in late 2025, BepiColombo will have a nominal one-year duration with the possibility for an extension.

Ariane 5’s launch of BepiColombo – which gets its name from Italian Professor Giuseppe (Bepi) Colombo – is designated VA245 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/bepicolombo-preparations/

Photo caption:

Quote
BepiColombo’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Mercury Transfer Module undergo electrical testing during activity at the Spaceport.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 06/12/2018 08:19 am
June 8, 2018 (JST)

MIO-Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter’s New Name

JAXA selected MIO as new name for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) to be launched this Japanese fiscal year. Selection process is based on public response to the MMO renaming project made during the designated correspondence period, February 20 to April
9, 2018. Following are the details:

1 The New Name: MIO

2 Namesake and Background

・The definition of the word mio in the original Japanese is a waterway or fairway. It is a fitting name denoting how far the MMO mission has come, navigating its course past important research and development milestones. It also carries the connotation of wishing
the spacecraft a safe journey. 
・Historically, markers called mio-tsukushi were posted to guide boats sailing at rivers and sea. In traditional Japanese poetry, mio-tsukushi interchangeably means working hard without giving up. This describes the diligent and tenacious sprit of the MMO project
team who never ceases to challenge. 
・The spacecraft will travel through the solar wind, a continuous stream of plasma that the Sun emits in the Mercury’s magnetosphere. The Mercury’s magnetospheric interference constantly affects the state of the solar wind in orbit. It conjures up the image of a
sea vessel underway with its bow heading forward. 
・Mio is easy to say for many, especially those who do not speak Japanese.

3 Statistics

Total number of correspondents: 6,494
19 suggested Mio. 3 did Mio-Tsukushi.

4 The Selection Committee Members

Hajime Hayakawa, Project Manager, BepiColombo project team/Professor at the Department of Solar System Sciences, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

Go Murakami, Project Scientist, BepiColombo project team/Assistant Professor at the Department of Solar System Sciences, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

Chisato Ikuta, Director for Education and Public Outreach at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

Yasunori Matogawa, Emeritus at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science

Naoko Takeuchi, Cartoonist

5 Acknowledgments by Hajime Hayakawa

I thank all who responded for your interest in the MMO. We are at the start of the mission with a long way ahead. I hope MIO will bring to us a lot of discoveries about the Mercury.

6 Prize

JAXA will send a gift to all who 19 proposers of Mio no sooner than July.


Mission Overview: MIO and the International Mercury Exploration BepiColombo Mission

BepiColombo, an ESA-JAXA joint mission to explore Mercury, comprises of two orbiters - the MPO, Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the MIO, Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter. MPO aims at elucidating the surface and internal composition of Mercury. The MIO mission is observing
the planet's magnetic field and magnetosphere.
JAXA is in charge of the development of the MIO spacecraft and controlling its operation at the target orbit, as Japan is adept at observations of magnetic field and magnetosphere. ESA controls BepiColombo launch and flight to Mercury and orbital insertions. The
development and operation of the MPO is also part of the mission performed by ESA. Ariane 5 will launch the tandem satellites. After entering the planet's orbit, detached orbiters are scheduled for approximately year-long observation mission, which both agencies
will cooperatively engage in.

[Reference] Related Links:

Mercury Exploration Mission "BepiColombo"
http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/bepi/index.html

Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO) /BepiColombo (ISAS)
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/developing/mmo.html

BepiColombo Mercury Exploration
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/mercury/index-e.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Svetoslav on 06/12/2018 08:23 am
I'm a little disappointed. I suggested MMO to be named after Asimov, the sci-fi writer, but I guess the Japanese prefer to use their own names.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/12/2018 11:06 am
Quote
Hand-sewn insulation blankets

Released 12/06/2018 9:00 am
Copyright ESA–B. Guillaume
Description

One of the main activities in recent weeks for the BepiColombo team at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou has been the installation of multi-layered insulation foils and sewing of high-temperature blankets on the Mercury Planetary Orbiter.

The insulation is to protect the spacecraft from the extreme thermal conditions that will be experienced in Mercury orbit.

While conventional multi-layered insulation appears gold-coloured, the upper layer of the module’s striking white high-temperature blanket provides the focus of this image.

The white blankets are made from quartz fibres. Because the fabric is not electrically conductive, to control the build-up of electrostatic charge on the surface of the spacecraft, conducting threads have been woven through the outer layer every 10 cm. The edges of the outer blanket are hand-sewn together once installed on the module, as seen in this image.

The face of the spacecraft the engineer is working on is the panel that will always look at Mercury’s surface and as such many of the science instruments are focused here. This includes the orbiter’s cameras and spectrometers, a laser altimeter and particle analyser.

The panel also has fixtures to connect the module to the Transfer Module during the cruise to Mercury.

The face of the spacecraft pointing to the left in this orientation is the spacecraft radiator, which will eventually be fitted with ‘fins’ designed to reflect heat directionally, allowing the spacecraft to fly at low altitude over the hot surface of the planet. Heat generated by spacecraft subsystems and payload components, as well as heat that comes from the Sun and Mercury and ‘leaks’ through the blankets into the spacecraft, will be conducted to the radiator by heat pipes and ultimately radiated into space.

The oval shapes correlate to star trackers, used for navigation, while a spectrometer is connected with ground support equipment towards the top. At the back of this face, the magnetometer boom can be seen folded against the spacecraft – it has now also been fitted with multi-layered insulation.

For more images of the launch preparations at Kourou visit the BepiColombo image gallery.
Id 395288

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/06/Hand-sewn_insulation_blankets
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/30/2018 05:27 pm
Source: SFN Launch Schedule https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ , June 29 update

Delay of BepiColombo launch date in planetary launch window to October 18.

EDIT 7/3: Source: SFN Launch Schedule https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ , July 3 update

Launch date/time: October 19, 01:45 UTC = October 18, 22:45 GFT (Kourou)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/17/2018 09:35 am
Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter preparations

Engineers working on the integration of the Japanese Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) of the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission as part of launch preparations at Europe’s Spaceport.

The mission consists of two science orbiters – ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and JAXA's MMO – and the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), which will use solar electric propulsion to take the two orbiters to the Mercury, along with gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury itself.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/17/2018 09:35 am
BepiColombo at the Spaceport

Overview of the integration activities in the S5 facility of Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, where the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo spacecraft are undergoing launch preparations.

The mission consists of two science orbiters – the Japanese Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) and ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) – and the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), which will use solar electric propulsion to take the two orbiters to the Mercury, along with gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury itself.

BepiColombo is Europe's first mission to Mercury, due to launch this year on a journey the smallest and least explored terrestrial planet in our Solar System. When it arrives at Mercury in late 2025, it will endure temperatures in excess of 350 °C.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/17/2018 09:36 am
Deployment of MTM solar wing

On 6 July, a test deployment of one of the two solar arrays of the BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) was performed during launch preparations at Europe's Spaceport. The MTM will use solar electric propulsion to take the two science orbiters of the BepiColombo mission to the innermost planet, along with gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury itself.

Credits: ESA–B. Guillaume
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/17/2018 09:37 am
Sewing MPO insulation blankets

The ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission at Europe's Spaceport undergoing intense preparations for launch. Here, sewing of the insulation blankets on ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) is taking place, while JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) can be seen in the background.

Credits: ESA–B. Guillaume
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/24/2018 08:27 am
Mercury Transfer Module solar wing inspection

Last week the second of two solar arrays on the BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) underwent final inspections and deployment before being folded and stowed for launch.

In this image, the solar array is attached to the MTM, which is out of view to the right, and engineers are carefully checking the alignment of the deployed array. Electrical tests and illumination tests were performed before folding the five-panel, 15 metre-long array and tensioning the cables ahead of one last deployment test.

After a final inspection, the solar array was folded again and a temporary protective red cover installed, concluding a successful test phase of the transfer module’s solar arrays.

The MTM will carry the two science orbiters – ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter – to the innermost planet using solar electric propulsion along with gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury.

Shortly before arriving at Mercury in 2025, the MTM will separate and the two science orbiters will be captured into orbit together, before separating and moving into their respective orbits. Together they will provide the most up-to-date investigation of the least explored planet in the inner Solar System to date.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 07/27/2018 01:35 pm
July 26, 2018 (JST)

The International Mercury Exploration "BepiColombo" Launch Schedule

Below is the launch schedule for BepiColombo, a leading Japan-Europe mission to Mercury. BepiColombo consists of two spacecraft - JAXA's MIO, the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter and the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Both orbiters carried aboard Ariane 5 will cooperatively accomplish comprehensive observations of Mercury. Be informed of the following Ariane 5 launch schedule officially announced by Arianespace SA and ESA.

Launch Time and Date:
22:45, local time in French Guinea, October 19, 2018
(10:45, Japan Standard Time, October 19, 2018)

Reserved Launch Period:
Through November 29, 2018

Location:
Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport in Kourou

[Reference]
Mission Overview: The International Mercury Exploration "BepiColombo" Mission and MIO

BepiColombo, an ESA-JAXA joint mission to explore Mercury, sends two spacecraft to orbit around Mercury for observations. Each is tasked with distinctive observation objects. MIO aims at elucidating the magnetic field and magnetosphere of Mercury.
The MPO mission is observing the planet's surface and internal composition. JAXA is in charge of the development of the MIO spacecraft and controlling its operation at the target orbit because MIO's mission objectives lie in Japan's area of expertise.
ESA controls BepiColombo launch and flight to Mercury and orbital insertions. The development and operation of the MPO is also part of the mission performed by ESA.
MIO and MPO are payload launched by the Ariane 5 spacecraft. After entering the planet's orbit, detached satellites are scheduled for approximately year-long observation mission, which both agencies will cooperatively engage in.

Reference links for further information:

Mercury Exploration Mission "BepiColombo"
http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/bepi/

Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO) /BepiColombo (ISAS)
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/developing/mmo.html

BepiColombo Mercury Exploration
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/mercury/index-e.html

BepiColombo to target mid-October launch (ESA)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_to_target_mid-October_launch

URL:
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2018/07/20180726_mmo.html


National Research and Development Agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Publisher :
 Public Affairs Department
 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
 Ochanomizu sola city,
 4-6 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8008 Japan
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/01/2018 12:10 pm
BEPICOLOMBO SCIENCE ORBITERS STACKED TOGETHER

31 August 2018

The two science orbiters of the joint ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission are connected in their launch configuration and the European science orbiter and transport module have been given the go-ahead to be loaded with propellants.

The mission completed its Qualification Acceptance Review in the last week, which confirms it is on track for its 19 October launch. The three-spacecraft mission is currently scheduled to launch on an Ariane 5 at 03:45 CEST (01:45 GMT) on 19 October, or 22:45 local time in Kourou on 18 October, with the launch window remaining open until 29 November.

http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/60586-bepicolombo-science-orbiters-stacked-together/

Image credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique video du CSG – J. Odang
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 09/07/2018 09:21 am
Quote from: @ESABepi
We’re on the move! After our first months at the #Spaceport in the “processing area”, we’ve transferred to a different room for our upcoming chemical propulsion fueling activities
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 09/09/2018 02:21 pm
The BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module, MTM, moving between facilities at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou. Together with JAXA's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter and ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter, the modules spent the first part of the launch campaign in the 'processing area' before moving to the 'fueling integration area' where the chemical propulsion fueling activities will take place.

 
Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique video du CSG – P.Baudon
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 09/17/2018 03:17 pm
The BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module and Mercury Planetary Orbiter being prepared for chemical propulsion fueling.

The transfer module will use both ion propulsion and chemical propulsion, in combination with gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury to bring the two science orbiters close enough to Mercury to be gravitationally captured into its orbit. There, ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter will use its small thrusters to deliver JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter into its elliptical orbit around Mercury, before separating and descending to its own orbit closer to the planet.

 
Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique video du CSG – P.Baudon
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: GWR64 on 09/28/2018 09:41 am
July 26, 2018 (JST)

The International Mercury Exploration "BepiColombo" Launch Schedule

Below is the launch schedule for BepiColombo, a leading Japan-Europe mission to Mercury. BepiColombo consists of two spacecraft - JAXA's MIO, the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter and the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Both orbiters carried aboard Ariane 5 will cooperatively accomplish comprehensive observations of Mercury. Be informed of the following Ariane 5 launch schedule officially announced by Arianespace SA and ESA.

Launch Time and Date:
22:45, local time in French Guinea, October 19, 2018
(10:45, Japan Standard Time, October 19, 2018)

...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Publisher :
 Public Affairs Department
 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
 Ochanomizu sola city,
 4-6 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8008 Japan

This is not possible !

Second version:

BEPICOLOMBO SCIENCE ORBITERS STACKED TOGETHER

31 August 2018

The two science orbiters of the joint ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission are connected in their launch configuration and the European science orbiter and transport module have been given the go-ahead to be loaded with propellants.

The mission completed its Qualification Acceptance Review in the last week, which confirms it is on track for its 19 October launch. The three-spacecraft mission is currently scheduled to launch on an Ariane 5 at 03:45 CEST (01:45 GMT) on 19 October, or 22:45 local time in Kourou on 18 October, with the launch window remaining open until 29 November.

http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/60586-bepicolombo-science-orbiters-stacked-together/

Image credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique video du CSG – J. Odang

and now:

Quote
The BepiColombo spacecraft ‘stack’ is complete. ESA’s Mercury Transfer Module sits at the bottom, its two 15 m-long solar arrays folded for launch. It will use a combination of solar electric propulsion, chemical propulsion, and nine gravity assist flybys over seven years to deliver the two science orbiters that sit above, to Mercury.

In the middle of the stack is ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter, its 3.7 m wide radiator facing the viewer. The three red oval shapes indicate startrackers, which will be used for navigation.

Most science instruments are mounted on the side of the spacecraft that will point at Mercury – the side clamped against the transfer module during cruise – but some instruments and sensors are located at the main radiator, and the magnetometer boom is folded above.

On top is JAXA’s eight-sided Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter. The sunshield that will protect the module during the cruise phase will be added about a week before launch.

Eight of the 11 instrument suites onboard the Mercury Planetary Orbiter and three out of five on the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter can operate or partially operate during the cruise phase, and will take measurements during the two flybys of Venus, for example. Once at Mercury, the two orbiters will operate from different orbits to provide the most detailed study of the innermost planet date, from its interior to surface features, to its interaction with the solar wind.

The complete spacecraft stack will be attached to the launch vehicle and sealed inside the fairing in the final week before launch. Roll-out of the Ariane 5 to the launch pad is anticipated about two days before launch.

Launch is currently scheduled for 19 October 22:45 GFT local time, or 01:45 GMT / 03:45 CEST on 20 October. It will be the 101st launch of an Ariane 5.

Details on how to follow online will be provided closer to the day.

(http://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2018/09/bepicolombo_stack/17707465-1-eng-GB/BepiColombo_stack.jpg)

Source ESA http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/09/BepiColombo_stack

CSG also says October 19 - local time

Quote
Ariane 5
10/19/18 - 10:45 PM (GMT-03:00) Launch VA 245 BEPI COLOMBO

https://cnes-csg.reservationlancement.fr/en/Inscription/Lancements

now correct?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: GWR64 on 09/28/2018 10:06 am
aah!
Official message from Jaxa:
a day delay

Quote
"BepiColombo" Launch Schedule Change

September 27, 2018 (JST)

National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Though Ariane 5 launch with BepiColombo mission explorers aboard was originally scheduled for 10:45 p.m., October 18, (local time in French Guinea) 2018, due to schedule adjustments the launch has moved later as follows:
Launch Date:    10:45:28 p.m., October 19, 2018 (local time in French Guinea)
(10:45:28 a.m., October 20, 2018 in Japan Time,)
Reserved Launch Period:    through November 29, 2018 (in local time in French Guinea)
Location:    Guiana Space Centre, Europe's spaceport in Kourou
...

http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2018/09/20180927_mmo.html
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/02/2018 06:43 pm
Should we start using the new thread Ariane 5 Flight VA245 - BepiColombo (MPO+MMO) - October 19, 2018 for launch updates?
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46450.0

Should this thread, BepiColombo updates (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=6845.0), be locked?

Or should the two threads be merged?

If a thread merge is chosen, should the thread title be changed to one conforming to the "NSF preferred" style for launch threads?

If there is no thread merge, but the elder thread is locked, should any content dealing with the launch campaign be moved from the end of the BepiColombo updates thread to the front of the launch thread?

Should another thread, in the Space Science Coverage subforum, be created after a successful launch for BepiColombo mission updates?

Self-reporting these alternatives to moderators.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/04/2018 03:17 pm
For launch updates see:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46450.0


For L2 High Res photos see:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46498.0



Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: calapine on 10/20/2018 11:08 pm
Quote
@esaoperations
Spectacular #selfie images came a bit later than expected due to an unplanned 'safe mode' - basically, when our spacecraft reboots itself. This was successfully recovered by the mission control team at #ESOC. All nominal now! #BepiColombo

Safe mode....ESA ops is burying the lede a bit here ;)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/22/2018 10:27 am
BepiColombo images antennas

The BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) has returned its first images of the deployed antennas onboard the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO).

The 'M-CAM 2' camera captured the medium-gain antenna, while ‘M-CAM 3’ looked towards the deployed high-gain antenna. Glimpses of the MTM solar arrays are also visible in both images (follow the links to full descriptions of what can be seen in each image).

These two images follow the view obtained by ‘M-CAM 1’ yesterday, which imaged one of the deployed solar arrays of the transfer module. The successful deployments had all been confirmed by telemetry before the images were taken.

The transfer module’s three monitoring cameras provide black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution. The location and field of view of ‘M-CAM 2’ and ‘M-CAM 3’ are indicated in this graphic.

The monitoring cameras will be used on various occasions during the cruise phase, notably during the flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury. While the MPO is equipped with a high-resolution scientific camera, this can only be operated after separating from the MTM upon arrival at Mercury in late 2025 because, like several of the 11 instrument suites, it is located on the side of the spacecraft fixed to the MTM during cruise.

BepiColombo launched at 01:45 GMT on 20 October on an Ariane 5. BepiColombo is a joint endeavour between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA. It is the first European mission to Mercury, the smallest and least explored planet in the inner Solar System, and the first to send two spacecraft to make complementary measurements of the planet and its dynamic environment at the same time.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/22/2018 10:28 am
BepiColombo’s first image from space

The BepiColombo Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) has returned its first image from space.

The view looks down one of the extended solar arrays, which was deployed earlier this morning and confirmed by telemetry. The structure in the bottom left corner is one of the sun sensors on the MTM, with the multi-layered insulation clearly visible.
 
The transfer module is equipped with three monitoring cameras, which provide black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution. The location and field of view of ‘M-CAM 1’, which captured the first image, is indicated in this graphic.

The other two cameras will be activated tomorrow and are expected to capture images of the deployed medium- and high-gain antennas onboard the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO). Click here to see example fields of views.

The monitoring cameras will be used on various occasions during the cruise phase, notably during the flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury. While the MPO is equipped with a high-resolution scientific camera, this can only be operated after separating from the MTM upon arrival at Mercury in late 2025 because, like several of the 11 instrument suites, it is located on the side of the spacecraft fixed to the MTM during cruise.

BepiColombo launched at 01:45 GMT on 20 October on an Ariane 5. BepiColombo is a joint endeavour between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA. It is the first European mission to Mercury, the smallest and least explored planet in the inner Solar System, and the first to send two spacecraft to make complementary measurements of the planet and its dynamic environment at the same time.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 10/26/2018 10:14 am
Magnetometer boom in MPO has been deployed! http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/10/BepiColombo_magnetometer_boom_deployed_-_gif_sequence
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: centaurinasa on 11/07/2018 12:42 pm
"On 4 November BepiColombo took this selfie, which immortalizes the back of its solar panels."

https://twitter.com/ItsTheMind/status/1060104463778828289
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 11/16/2018 07:32 am
https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1063347863638474752
Title: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 12/11/2018 03:32 pm
New ESA video.

BepiColombo: Mercury’s Mysteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO1Jwqa6kb4
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Olaf on 12/12/2018 12:25 pm
https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1072833379639443456
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 04/05/2019 09:20 am
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_is_ready_for_its_long_cruise

BepiColombo is ready for its long cruise

Quote
Following a series of tests conducted in space over the past five months, the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission has successfully completed its near-Earth commissioning phase and is now ready for the operations that will take place during the cruise and, eventually, for its scientific investigations at Mercury.

BepiColombo started its seven-year long journey to the Solar System’s innermost planet on 20 October 2018, lifting off on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

After completing the launch and early orbit phase on 22 October, an extensive series of in-orbit commissioning activities started. During this near-Earth commissioning phase, which was concluded on 16 December, the European and Japanese mission teams performed tests to ensure the health of BepiColombo’s science instruments, its propulsion and other spacecraft platform systems. 

On 26 March 2019, a review board confirmed that the overall capabilities and performance at the end of the near-Earth commissioning phase meet the mission requirements.

Quote
In the coming weeks, the BepiColombo teams will investigate some remaining issues and carry out high-voltage related instrument checks while looking forward to the next major mission milestone, as the spacecraft will come back to some 11 000 km from Earth for a flyby on 13 April 2020.

Later next year, in October, BepiColombo will perform the first of its two flybys of Venus – the second planned for August 2021. These will provide an exciting opportunity to operate some of the instruments on both orbiters and to collect scientifically valuable data to further study this fascinating planet while en route to the mission’s destination – Mercury.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 10/21/2019 05:55 pm
Some nice animations of the HGA slewing ops:

https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1186275446876528646 (https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1186275446876528646)


Bonus: Equally nice unofficial animations of the solar array wings slewing too


https://twitter.com/landru79/status/1186319109400793089 (https://twitter.com/landru79/status/1186319109400793089)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Jakdowski on 03/23/2020 11:15 am
Earth and Moon form MTM monitoring camera


https://twitter.com/landru79/status/1239967145267613702
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 03/30/2020 04:11 pm
ESA to conduct BepiColombo flyby amid coronavirus crisis

30/03/2020

ESA / Science & Exploration / Space Science / BepiColombo
Controllers at ESA’s mission control centre are preparing for a gravity-assist flyby of the European-Japanese Mercury explorer BepiColombo. The manoeuvre, which will see the mission adjust its trajectory by harnessing Earth’s gravitational pull as it swings past the planet, will be performed amid restrictions ESA has implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

BepiColombo, launched in October 2018, is currently orbiting the Sun at a similar distance as Earth. On 10 April, at about 06:25 am (CEST), the spacecraft will approach Earth at the distance of only 12 700 km, which is less than half the altitude of Europe’s Galileo navigational satellites. The manoeuvre will slow down the BepiColombo spacecraft and bend its trajectory towards the centre of the Solar System, thus tightening its orbit around the Sun.

“This is the last time we will see BepiColombo from Earth,” says Joe Zender, BepiColombo Deputy Project Scientist at ESA. “After that it will head deeper into the inner Solar System.”

Mission scientists plan to use the flyby to test some of the 11 instruments aboard ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), one of the European components of the mission, which travels to the innermost planet of the Solar System together with the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (Mio) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The two science orbiters are stacked on top of the ESA-made Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), with Mio sitting atop hidden behind a protective sunshield. The transfer module obscures the view of some of the MPO instruments, but the scientists expect to be able to obtain data from eight of the 11 science payloads. Mio’s view is mostly blocked by the sunshield, but some of its sensors will also be switched on during the flyby.

The operation, however, will be performed with limited personnel at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, where engineers will have to comply with social distancing rules presently in place all over Europe as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Earth swing-by is a phase where we need daily contact with the spacecraft,” says Elsa Montagnon, BepiColombo Spacecraft Operations Manager at ESA. “This is something that we cannot postpone. The spacecraft will swing by Earth independently in any case.”

The coronavirus threat forces the team to work with minimal face to face interaction while ensuring all steps in the process are properly covered.

“During the critical two weeks prior to the closest approach, we need to upload safety commands to prepare the spacecraft for unexpected problems,” says Christoph Steiger, BepiColombo Deputy Spacecraft Operations Manager. “For example, we need to prepare the transfer module for the 34 minute-long eclipse when its solar panels will not be exposed to sunlight to prevent battery discharge.”

Operations can still be conducted as planned, he adds, but will require more effort and attention than in a normal situation.

ESA’s BepiColombo Project Scientist Johannes Benkhoff hopes that, despite the challenging circumstances, the science teams will be able to switch on the MPO instruments to test and calibrate them.

“For example, the PHEBUS spectroscope will use the Moon as a calibration target to then produce better data once at Mercury,” says Johannes. “We also want to make some measurements of the solar wind and its interaction with Earth’s magnetic field. The main purpose of having the instruments on at this stage, however, is testing and calibration. If we can use the data for some scientific investigation, it will be a bonus.”

BepiColombo also carries three GoPro-style ‘selfie’ cameras, mounted on the transfer module, that will be taking photographs as the spacecraft approaches Earth. The scientists activated the cameras in early March and took a few snaps of the Earth-Moon system as viewed by BepiColombo from its position hurtling towards the Earth.

“We will see the Earth approaching and getting bigger,” says Joe. “When it reaches the nearest point, we will take a few images, and then we are planning to capture a whole sequence of photographs over several hours looking at the Earth-Moon system as it gets smaller and smaller until we lose it completely.”

Frank Budnik, ESA’s BepiColombo Flight Dynamics manager, adds: “As long as all team members are healthy and the spacecraft continues to perform nominally, everything can proceed as planned.”

The Earth flyby on 10 April is only the first of nine gravity assist manoeuvres awaiting BepiColombo during its 7-year journey to Mercury. In October, the spacecraft will perform the first of two flybys at Venus. The final six orbit-tightening manoeuvres will use the gravity of BepiColombo’s destination, Mercury.

BepiColombo will arrive at Mercury in late 2025. The science mission will commence three months later, after Mio and the MPO separate from the transfer module and enter their respective target orbits. Together, the two orbiters will help scientists shed light on the evolution of Mercury, the least explored of the four rocky planets in the Solar System and the one closest to the Sun.

Learning about Mercury’s composition, the geological processes on its surface and the environment around it will help scientists answer some fundamental questions not only about Mercury, but also about the formation and evolution of the entire Solar System.

Amateur astronomers equipped with small telescopes will be able to observe BepiColombo during the flyby, if located in southern latitudes. Observers in southern Europe might be able to spot the spacecraft briefly. The best view, however, will only be possible from the southern hemisphere.

Explore BepiColombo's journey and current position using the interactive 'Where is Bepi' tool below:

For live updates around the flyby, follow @BepiColombo, @esaoperations and @esascience on Twitter. The three spacecraft modules also have personalised accounts (@ESA_Bepi, @JAXA_MMO, and @ESA_MTM); follow for extra content and a unique take on the mission.

http://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/ESA_to_conduct_BepiColombo_flyby_amid_coronavirus_crisis
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 03/30/2020 04:11 pm
https://youtu.be/IPVrLiLy6qc
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 03/30/2020 04:14 pm
https://bepicolombo.esac.esa.int/itl-viewer/where/
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 03/30/2020 04:44 pm
On 10 April, at 05:25 BST (06:25 CEST), @bepicolombo will fly by Earth at a distance of only 12 700 km. The manoeuvre will slow the spacecraft and bend its trajectory towards the Sun. The best view for skywatchers will be in the southern hemispshere

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1244633526827433984
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 04/03/2020 11:17 am
BepiColombo's latest views of Earth

Earth and the Moon as seen by one of the selfie cameras on board of the European-Japanese Mercury-explorer BepiColombo in early March 2020. The camera (M-CAM 3) took the images from a distance of around 14 million km, during the spacecraft's approach towards its mother planet ahead of the gravity assist flyby scheduled on 10 April.

During the flyby, BepiColombo will come as close as 12 700 km to Earth's surface, which is closer than the orbital altitude of the European navigational satellites Galileo. The cameras will keep taking images throughout the manoeuvre, which will adjust BepiColombo's trajectory and send it deeper inside the Solar System.

Credits: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 04/03/2020 11:23 am
BepiColombo Earth flyby
 
Artist’s impression of the BepiColombo spacecraft in cruise configuration, flying past Earth and with the Sun in the background. After launch, BepiColombo will return to Earth two years later to make a gravity-assist flyby, before flying by Venus twice and Mercury six times before entering orbit around the innermost planet.

In this view, the Mercury Transfer Module is at the rear, with its solar wings extended, spanning about 30 m from tip-to-tip. Because the arrays are tilted towards the Sun, the underside of the panels can be seen. The 7.5 m-long solar array of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter in the middle is seen extending to the top, with the high-gain antenna dish to the left, and the magnetometer boom and medium gain antenna to the right. The Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter sits inside the sunshield, its antenna folded inside and visible in this view.

BepiColombo is a joint endeavour between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 04/03/2020 07:50 pm
Hello Earthlings! During my flyby, I will take pictures of your beautiful planet. Some of you, especially those at southern latitudes, might also be able to take a picture of me with a telescope or camera.

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1246085986787954689
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 04/05/2020 02:10 pm
On 10 April, #BepiColombo will make a flyby of Earth, coming within 12 700 km of our planet. It needs to shed ‘orbital energy’, and it does this by using our planet’s gravity

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1246739469316902918
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 04/05/2020 07:14 pm
https://youtu.be/T4Nmm0Bj6b8
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 04/07/2020 02:52 pm
Hello Earthlings! I hope you are all sharpening your telescopes to see me one last time on Friday before I head to Mercury. Here is a little video summary of what's going to happen and why.

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1247534171733385217
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 04/08/2020 01:33 pm
And here is the YZ projection to complete the set

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1247750236799299585
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/09/2020 04:59 pm
From ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/09/2020 05:53 pm
twitter.com/esa_mtm/status/1248290695833694209

Quote
👋
🛰️➕🌍🤳👇

🛰️🔜🌎
#BepiColomboEarthFlyby
esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…

https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1248307084841664514

Quote
Here are the first selfies of #BepiColombo approaching Earth, taken earlier today, less than 200,000 km away, ahead of the flyby tomorrow. At closest approach, scheduled on 10 April 05:25 BST/06:25 CEST, the spacecraft will be only 12,700 km away #StayTuned #BepiColomboEarthFlyby
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 04/10/2020 02:56 am
HEADS UP... to the stars tonight!  Seriously!  The @esa @BepiColombo probe launched in 2018 to Mercury will FLY BY Earth TONIGHT at 00:25  EDT (04:25 UTC).  AND YOU CAN SEE IT if you have a backyard telescope!

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1248357056047972352
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 04/10/2020 07:33 am
BepiColombo takes last snaps of Earth en route to Mercury

Friday, 10 April 2020

The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission completed its first flyby on 10 April, as the spacecraft came less than 12 700 km from Earth’s surface at 06:25 CEST, steering its trajectory towards the final destination, Mercury. Images gathered just before closest approach portray our planet shining through darkness, during one of humankind’s most challenging times in recent history.

Launched in 2018, BepiColombo is on a seven-year journey to the smallest and innermost planet orbiting the Sun, which holds important clues about the formation and evolution of the entire Solar System.

Today’s operation is the first of nine flybys which, together with the onboard solar propulsion system, will help the spacecraft reach its target orbit around Mercury. The next two flybys will take place at Venus and further six at Mercury itself.

While the manoeuvre took advantage of Earth’s gravity to adjust the path of the spacecraft and did not require any active operations, such as firing thrusters, it included 34 critical minutes shortly after BepiColombo’s closest approach to our planet, when the spacecraft flew across the shadow of Earth.

“This eclipse phase was the most delicate part of the flyby, with the spacecraft passing through the shadow of our planet and not receiving any direct sunlight for the first time after launch,” said Elsa Montagnon, BepiColombo Spacecraft Operations Manager for ESA.

To prepare for the scheduled eclipse, mission operators fully charged the spacecraft batteries and warmed up all components in advance, then closely monitored the temperature of all onboard systems during the period in darkness, between 07:01 and 07:35 CEST.

“It is always nerve-wracking to know a spacecraft’s solar panels are not bathed in sunlight. When we saw the solar cells had restarted to generate electrical current, we knew BepiColombo was finally out of Earth’s shadow and ready to proceed on its interplanetary journey,” added Elsa.

Space operations are never routine at ESA’s mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany, but today’s flyby had one extra challenge. The manoeuvre, programmed long in advance and impossible to postpone, had to be prepared with limited on-site personnel, amid the social distancing measures adopted by the Agency in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic; but the restrictions had no impact on the operation’s success.

As BepiColombo swung by our planet, most scientific instruments on ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter – one of the two science spacecraft that make up the mission – were switched on. Several sensors were also active on the second component of the mission, JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, also known as Mio. 

Scientists will use the data gathered during the flyby, which include images of the Moon and measurements of Earth’s magnetic field as the spacecraft zipped past, to calibrate the instruments that will, as of 2026, investigate Mercury to solve the mystery of how the scorched planet formed.

“Today was of course very different to what we could have imagined only a couple of months ago,” said Johannes Benkhoff, ESA’s BepiColombo Project Scientist, who followed the operation from his home in the Netherlands, along with the many scientists from the 16 instrument teams that comprise the mission, scattered between Europe and Japan.

“We are all pleased that the flyby went well and that we could operate several scientific instruments, and we are looking forward to receiving and analysing the data. These will also be useful to prepare for the next flyby, when BepiColombo will swing past Venus in October.”

“There is a great interest in Japan in the BepiColombo mission. Thus, after the successful flyby we are looking forward to the science at Venus and Mercury,” said Go Murakami, BepiColombo Project Scientist at JAXA.

Our home from space

On 9 April, ahead of the flyby, and then again today, just before closing in, the BepiColombo monitoring cameras snapped a series of images of Earth from space, picturing our planet in these difficult times for humans across Europe and the world.
“These selfies from space are humbling, showing our planet, the common home that we share, in one of the most troubling and uncertain periods many of us have gone through,” said Günther Hasinger, ESA’s Director of Science, who also followed the event remotely from home, in Spain.

“We are scientists who fly spacecraft to explore the Solar System and observe the Universe in search of our cosmic origins, but before that we are humans, caring for one another and coping with a planetary emergency together. When I look at these images, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of humankind, of the challenges we can overcome when we team up, and I wish they bring you the same sense of hope for our future.”

Join us on ESA Web TV on 10 April at 17:00 CEST for a live streamed conversation featuring ESA mission experts and scientists from some of the instrument teams, reflecting on the flyby and presenting data gathered by the different instruments: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/ESA_Web_TV

For updates on the science data obtained during the flyby and images to be taken by the BepiColombo monitoring cameras as the spacecraft moves away from Earth on 10 and 11 April, follow the mission on Twitter via: @ESA_Bepi, @ESA_MTM, and @BepiColombo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 04/10/2020 07:44 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 04/10/2020 02:38 pm
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/10/2020 06:57 pm
Images attached as animated GIF from:

http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/04/BepiColombo_s_last_close-up_of_Earth_during_flyby
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: theinternetftw on 04/10/2020 10:46 pm
Tried to adjust levels such that the planet is consistently exposed.  This is an animated png to eliminate quality loss I was getting with my gif encoder.  It will work on all browsers save Microsoft's.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/12/2020 07:49 am
https://www.flickr.com/photos/europeanspaceagency/49762520011/

Quote
European Space Agency Follow
BepiColombo bids farewell to Earth and the Moon


The joint European-Japanese Mercury spacecraft BepiColombo took a final glimpse of Earth on 11 April 2020, a day after its closest approach to the planet to perform a gravity-assist flyby.
 
The image, showing Earth as a bright crescent against the blackness of the Universe, was captured at 14:24 UTC by one of the monitoring ‘selfie’ cameras mounted on Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), one of the three components of the BepiColombo mission.
 
One of the solar arrays is visible on the right side of the image, and the Moon is visible as a tiny speck of light, slightly above and to the left of the end of the array. The structure seen in the bottom corner is one of the sun sensor units on the MTM, with the multi-layered insulation visible.
 
The image was taken around 540 400 km away from the surface of our planet. A sequence of images taken as the spacecraft moved away from our planet on 10 and 11 April is available here.
 
BepiColombo, which comprises ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is scheduled to reach its target orbit around the smallest and innermost planet of the Solar System in 2025.
 
The 10 April flybyx at Earth was the first of nine gravity-assist manoeuvres that BepiColombo will perform during its seven-year journey. The spacecraft got as close as 12 700 km to Earth’s surface, closer than the orbit of Europe’s navigational satellites Galileo, and was observed by astronomers from many places across the world.
 
BepiColombo will perform its next two flybys at Venus and further six at Mercury.
 
Credits: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/13/2020 06:18 pm
https://youtu.be/CYEmNxsVq0c

Quote
Published on 13 Apr 2020
With a simple Google Cardboard-style virtual reality (VR) viewer, you can experience how it feels to be a spacecraft hurtling past Earth. This 360-degree VR simulation of a flyby manoeuvre performed by ESA’s Mercury-bound BepiColombo spacecraft takes you on a trip past Earth at the distance of only 12 700 km, closer than the orbit of Europe’s navigational satellites Galileo.

The simulation displays the field of view of two of BepiColombo’s science instruments (MERTIS and PHEBUS) and two of its three MCAM selfie cameras during the gravity-assist flyby at Earth on 10 April 2020.

The simulation was created using the SPICE software developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and data generated by the European Space and Astronomy Centre (ESAC)in Spain.

BepiColombo, a joint mission of ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is on a seven-year cruise to Mercury, the smallest and innermost planet of the Solar System. Launched in October 2018, BepiColombo follows an intricate trajectory that involves nine gravity-assist flyby manoeuvres. In addition to the flyby at Earth, BepiColombo will perform two flybys at Venus and six at Mercury, its target planet. The manoeuvres slow down the spacecraft as it needs to constantly brake against the gravitational pull of the Sun in order to be able to enter the correct orbit around Mercury in 2025, ahead of commencing science operations in early 2026.

Credit: ESA SPICE Service/RHEA Group.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: webdan on 04/13/2020 07:02 pm
Odd to see Orion behind the sun at 1:47, yet the date states April 10... Orion would be behind the sun in June.

Edit: Typo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 05/13/2020 09:25 am
BepiColombo keeping an eye on Earth from afar

13/05/2020

http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/05/BepiColombo_keeping_an_eye_on_Earth_from_afar

A sequence of daily images of Earth taken by the joint European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft as it moved away from our planet after its gravity-assist flyby on 10 April 2020, on its path towards the inner Solar System and its final destination, Mercury. The first image in this sequence was taken on 13 April, 1.3 million km away, and the last image on 5 May, around 8 million km away.

The images were captured by one of the MCAM selfie cameras mounted on the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), one of the three components of the BepiColombo mission. One of the solar arrays is visible on the upper side of the images, and the structure visible in the lower right corner at the beginning of the sequence is one of the sun sensor units on the MTM, covered in multi-layered insulation.

Planet Earth is visible at the centre of the images, below the solar panel, first as a pale crescent, then gradually fainter until barely visible. A version of this animation with a zoomed and brightened inset showing Earth is available here. The images have been cropped and corrected for brightness; the original frames are available on ESA's Planetary Science Archive, along with other MCAM images that do not feature Earth.

These images complement the views of Earth gathered by BepiColombo as it approached, closed in, and departed from our planet on 9–11 April, which are also combined in a timelapse video of the flyby.

The orbit-tightening manoeuvre, which saw BepiColombo come as close as 12 689 km to Earth’s surface at 04:25 UTC on 10 April, provided an opportunity to test several instruments and sensors aboard the two science orbiters that comprise the mission, ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mio, the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter of the Japanese Aerospace Agency (JAXA).

Data gathered during the flyby, including observations of the Moon from the MERTIS instrument and measurements of Earth's magnetic field by the MPO-MAG magnetometer, and data recorded by the Italian Spring Accelerometer (ISA), demonstrate that the instruments are in excellent condition to gather high-quality data during the spacecraft’s long cruise, even before reaching Mercury, the mission's target, with arrival scheduled in late 2025.

The Earth flyby was the first of nine gravity-assist manoeuvres that BepiColombo, launched in October 2018, will perform during its seven-year journey. BepiColombo will perform its next two flybys at Venus and further six at Mercury.

ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 10/07/2020 03:05 pm
Heads up for the Venusian flyby:

https://twitter.com/esascience/status/1313776877467729920
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: redliox on 10/08/2020 01:34 am
Could the spectrometers aboard make notes about the phosphine discovery and other details during the Venus flybys?
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/08/2020 08:32 am
https://youtu.be/a9yz0-TF2GE


Animation visualising BepiColombo flying by Venus. The spacecraft will make two gravity assist flybys of Venus to set it on course to Mercury: one on 15 October 2020, and the second in August 2021. It made an Earth flyby 10 April 2020 and will also fly by Mercury six times before entering orbit in December 2025.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/08/2020 08:39 am
BepiColombo will take seven years to get to planet Mercury, with a total of nine gravity assist flybys at Earth, Venus and Mercury before entering orbit. But the orbiters will be able to operate or partially operate some of their instruments during the cruise phase, affording unique opportunities to collect scientifically valuable data at Venus, for example. Moreover, some of the instruments designed to study Mercury in a particular way, can be used in a completely different way at Venus – the main difference being that Venus has a thick atmosphere while Mercury does not.

This graphic highlights some of the science themes that may be possible to study during the two flybys of Venus.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/08/2020 08:40 am
https://youtu.be/ZCSZTFquS2Y
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 10/08/2020 05:11 pm
Could the spectrometers aboard make notes about the phosphine discovery and other details during the Venus flybys?

MERTIS is quoted as being up to the task:

https://twitter.com/ra_v_g/status/1307752174647205893
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: redliox on 10/09/2020 02:53 am
Could the spectrometers aboard make notes about the phosphine discovery and other details during the Venus flybys?

MERTIS is quoted as being up to the task

Most excellent!

This makes a pair of tedious flybys promising opportunities instead.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/13/2020 10:00 am
https://twitter.com/esa_bepi/status/1315946307866025985

Quote
I'm still a couple of days from closest approach but I've started collecting #data while in #Venus neighbourhood! Will be trying some of these👇 observations... and maybe have some time for solar wind surfing?! ☀️〰️🟠〰️🏄‍♂️

#BepiColomboVenusFlyby

esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 10/15/2020 06:15 am
Closest approach has happened 2 hours ago. All reported nominal, the shutters from the sensitive STRs are now being reopened again after they're no longer risking being blinded by Venus' glare.

https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1316589112984395779 (https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1316589112984395779)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: eeergo on 10/15/2020 08:51 am
First selfie with Venus in the background, and full preliminary report in ESA's site:

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_flies_by_Venus_en_route_to_Mercury
Closest approach at 10720 km from the surface, at 03:58 UTC.
Quote
Seven of the eleven science instruments onboard the European Mercury Planetary Orbiter, plus its radiation monitor, and three of five onboard the Japanese Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter were active during the flyby.[...]we hope to be able to provide some atmosphere temperature and density profiles, information about the chemical composition and cloud cover, and on the magnetic environment interaction between the Sun and Venus. But we rather anticipate more results next year than now, given the closer flyby distance.[...]simultaneous measurements with JAXA’s Akatsuki Venus Climate Orbiter and its Earth-orbiting Hisaki Spectroscopic Planet Observatory, together with ground-based observatories
[...]"Akatsuki is currently the only spacecraft in orbit around Venus and because of its elliptical orbit it was actually 30 times further away from the planet than BepiColombo during the flyby, meaning we can compare close observations of BepiColombo with Akatsuki’s global-scale view,” says Go Murakami, JAXA’s BepiColombo Project Scientist.“A large campaign of coordinated observations are ongoing, involving professional and amateur astronomers alike, that will build a three-dimensional picture of what’s happening over time in Venus’ atmosphere, something that cannot be achieved by one spacecraft or one telescope alone", says Valeria Mangano, of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/15/2020 09:13 am
BepiColombo’s first glimpse of Venus

15/10/2020

The joint European-Japanese BepiColombo mission captured its first glimpse of Venus on 14 October 2020 as the spacecraft approached the planet for a gravity assist manoeuvre a day later.

The image was taken at 07:25 UTC within 600 000 km of Venus. The image was taken by the Mercury Transfer Module’s Monitoring Camera 3. The cameras provide black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution.

Venus appears towards the left, close to the spacecraft structure. The high-gain antenna of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter is also visible a the top of the view.

The manoeuvre, the first at Venus and the second of nine flybys overall, helped steer the spacecraft on course for Mercury. During its seven-year cruise to the smallest and innermost planet of the Solar System, BepiColombo makes one flyby at Earth, two at Venus and six at Mercury to brake against the gravitational pull of the Sun in order to enter orbit around Mercury. BepiColombo, which comprises ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is scheduled to reach its target orbit around the smallest and innermost planet of the Solar System in 2025.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/16/2020 06:12 am
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/10/Venus_setting

A sequence of images taken by one of the monitoring cameras on board the European-Japanese BepiColombo mission to Mercury, as the spacecraft made a close approach of Venus on 15 October 2020.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/16/2020 06:15 am
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 10/17/2020 11:26 am
DLR German Aerospace Center, Corporate Communications, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Koeln, Germany - http://www.DLR.de/en/

DLR Press Release, 15 October 2020

Slowing down at Venus: BepiColombo spacecraft continues to 'fall' on its trajectory towards Mercury

Full article with images and videos:
https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2020/04/20201014_bepicolombo-spacecraft-continues-fall-towards-mercury.html


Approaching Venus from its day side, passing the planet, using its gravitational pull to slow down and continuing on its night side on course for Mercury: on Thursday 15 October 2020, at 05:58 CEST, ESA's BepiColombo spacecraft will fly past Venus at a distance of approximately 10,720 kilometres and transfer some of its kinetic energy to our neighbouring planet in order to reduce its own speed. Two years post launch, the purpose of the manoeuvre is to lower BepiColombo’s orbit around the Sun towards the orbit of Mercury. The two orbiter spacecraft of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) are part of a joint mission that will reach this point after another flyby of Venus in August 2021. Following six close flybys of Mercury, the mission will then enter orbit around the innermost planet at the end of 2025. For planetary researchers and engineers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and for the Institute of Planetology at the University of Muenster, the Venus flyby is another opportunity to test BepiColombo’s MErcury Radiometer and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (MERTIS).

View of the Venus gas envelope with infrared sensors

The flyby of Venus and the Earth-Moon-flyby that took place in spring 2020 are spaceflight manoeuvres used to test the functionality of some of the experiments on board both orbiters, and to calibrate the sensors and signal chains with the data obtained. "Scientific measurements will also be carried out during approach and departure and at the closest approach to Venus," say the two people primarily responsible for the MERTIS instrument, Joern Helbert from the DLR Institute of Planetary Research and Harald Hiesinger from the Institute of Planetology at the University of Muenster. "Our imaging spectrometer MERTIS, which we built together with industry and international partners, will be used again to make these measurements," says Helbert. MERTIS was primarily developed to measure spectra of rock-forming minerals on Mercury's atmosphere-free surface. But with its infrared sensors, it can also look into the dense gas envelope of Venus down to a certain depth. "We are already expecting some very interesting findings, with more to follow in 2021, when we will be much closer to Venus," adds Hiesinger.

MERTIS is an imaging infrared spectrometer and radiometer with two uncooled radiation sensors that are sensitive to wavelengths of 7 to 14, and 7 to 40 micrometres, respectively. During two series of measurements, the first of which begins today, MERTIS will capture almost 100,000 individual images. The first series will begin as the spacecraft approaches from a distance of approximately 1.4 million kilometres from Venus up to a distance of 670,000 kilometres. After a pause to check the instrument, the second series will start at a distance of 300,000 kilometres, 11 hours before the Venus flyby, and will continue until BepiColombo is almost 120,000 kilometres from Venus four hours before the closest approach of the flyby.

Venus as the focus of planetary research

Venus is almost as large as Earth, but has developed in a completely different way. Its atmosphere is much denser, consisting almost entirely of carbon dioxide, and thus the planet experiences a very strong greenhouse effect. This results in a permanent surface temperature of around 470 degrees Celsius. There is no water and therefore it is thought that no life could survive on the surface. It is quite possible that volcanoes are still active on Venus. “These would be detected, for example, through the sulphur dioxide that they emit,” says Helbert. “Following the first measurements made in the 1960s and 1970s, about ten years ago, ESA's Venus Express mission recorded a massive reduction, by more than half, of sulphur dioxide concentrations. Venus literally 'smells' of active volcanoes! MERTIS could now provide us with new information." The experiments will be complemented by simultaneous observations from the Japanese Venusian orbiter, Akatsuki, and from a dozen professional telescopes as well as information from amateur astronomers on Earth.

Venus only recently came under the spotlight of science and the media when a group of astronomers used telescopes in Hawaii and Chile to prove beyond doubt the presence of the trace gas phosphine (or monophosphane, chemical formula PH3) on Venus. Phosphine is industrially manufactured on Earth for use in pest control, but is also produced by biological processes in sapropel or in the digestive tract of vertebrates. Phosphine is a very short-lived molecule, so there must be a current source of the molecule on Venus or in its atmosphere.

Previous modelling of natural phosphine sources such as volcanism, chemical reactions following meteorite impacts or lightning discharges have not been able to explain the measured concentrations. This is why the possibility that the phosphine is produced by microorganisms high up in Venus’s atmosphere is frequently debated by planetary researchers. This finding could suggest that life exists in the temperate ‘flying carpets’ of sulphuric acid clouds that exist at altitudes of 40 to 60 kilometres. The authors of the study themselves question this idea, however, and indicate the need for further measurements in the future. In the future, Venus will be the target of ESA and NASA missions.

Venus, an exoplanet on our doorstep

MERTIS and the other five activated instruments on board the Mercury Planetary Orbiter will not be able to detect any phosphine molecules from the distance of the flyby. Nevertheless, the flyby is scientifically interesting, as the spacecraft can be used to study Venus as if it were a distant, Earth-like extrasolar planet with a solid surface and dense atmosphere. “During the Earth flyby, we studied the Moon, characterising MERTIS in flight for the first time under real experimental conditions. We achieved good results," says Gisbert Peter, MERTIS project manager at the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, which was responsible for the design and construction of MERTIS. "Now we are pointing MERTIS towards a planet for the first time. This will allow us to make comparisons with measurements taken prior to the launch of BepiColombo, to optimise operation and data processing, and to gain experience for the design of future experiments." All experiments will focus on measuring the composition, structure and dynamics of the atmosphere of Venus, the ionosphere of the planet and – using the instruments on the Japanese MMO (Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter) – the induced magnetosphere of Venus.

Saving fuel with planetary flybys

Following BepiColombo's first flyby of Earth on 10 April 2020, its second flyby, this time of Venus is designed to continue to slow the spacecraft down without using any fuel. This is necessary in order to compress the spacecraft's orbital ellipse towards a circular orbit that is ultimately almost geometrically identical to the orbit of Mercury. The spacecraft 'falls' towards Venus on its spiralled orbit through the inner Solar System at various speeds depending on its distance from the Sun. At Venus, BepiColombo will reduce its heliocentric speed by 37 kilometres per second (133,500 km/h). The flyby will take place at a distance of 116 million kilometres from Earth. Venus is currently ahead of Earth in its orbit and is visible in the eastern sky just before dawn.

Due to the Sun’s strong gravitational pull, planetary missions to the inner Solar System can only be achieved with very complex trajectories. With the manoeuvre on Thursday, the spacecraft’s relative speed compared to Mercury will be reduced to 1.84 kilometres per second. At the end of its spiralled flight between the orbits of Earth and Mercury, BepiColombo will orbit the Sun at almost the same speed as Mercury. It will then easily be captured by the gravity of the smallest planet in the Solar System on 5 December 2025 and will manoeuvre itself into a polar orbit. BepiColombo was launched on 20 October 2018 on board an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European spaceport in Kourou.

The use of flyby manoeuvres was first implemented during NASA’s Mariner 10 mission, enabling the spacecraft to make two additional close flybys of Mercury after it had already travelled past the planet once. The calculations were made by Italian engineer and mathematician Giuseppe 'Bepi' Colombo, a professor at the University of Padua. Colombo was invited to a conference in preparation for the Mariner 10 mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, in 1970. After seeing the original mission plan, he realised that a highly precise first flyby could allow for two additional flybys of Mercury. The current European-Japanese Mercury mission was named in his honour.

Close European-Japanese cooperation

Overall management of the mission lies with ESA, which was also responsible for the development and construction of MPO. MMO was contributed by JAXA. The German contribution to BepiColombo is coordinated and mainly financed by the DLR Space Administration, with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). The two instruments BELA and MERTIS, which were mainly developed by the DLR Institutes of Planetary Research and Optical Sensor Systems in Berlin-Adlershof, were largely financed from DLR's Research and Technology budget. The mission is also being supported by the Westfaelische Wilhelms University of Muenster, TU Braunschweig and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Goettingen. A European industrial consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space designed and constructed the spacecraft.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: PDJennings on 10/17/2020 12:59 pm
At Venus, BepiColombo will reduce its heliocentric speed by 37 kilometres per second (133,500 km/h).

That is a right impressive maneuver for any spacecraft.  They will have to be careful not to fall into the sun.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Nomadd on 10/17/2020 03:39 pm
At Venus, BepiColombo will reduce its heliocentric speed by 37 kilometres per second (133,500 km/h).

That is a right impressive maneuver for any spacecraft.  They will have to be careful not to fall into the sun.
This may have been posted before. Good animation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BepiColombo#/media/File:Animation_of_BepiColombo_trajectory.gif
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: LouScheffer on 10/26/2020 12:58 am
DLR German Aerospace Center, Corporate Communications, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Koeln, Germany - http://www.DLR.de/en/

DLR Press Release, 15 October 2020

Slowing down at Venus: BepiColombo spacecraft continues to 'fall' on its trajectory towards Mercury
[...]
At Venus, BepiColombo will reduce its heliocentric speed by 37 kilometres per second (133,500 km/h). The flyby will take place at a distance of 116 million kilometres from Earth. Venus is currently ahead of Earth in its orbit and is visible in the eastern sky just before dawn.
I'm not an orbital mechanics expert, but this seems impossible.   Venus is slightly less massive than Earth, and its  escape velocity is 10.36 km/sec (https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/venusfact.html).  So even if they could use Venus to make a complete U-turn, the biggest possible delta-V would be 21 km/sec.   Of course the real deflection is less and so the delta-V is correspondingly smaller.

The JPL Horizons system has BepiColombo approaching Venus at 37 km/sec in the solar frame, and leaving at about 33 km/sec.  So I think one of these orbital velocities was meant, and not the delta-V.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Phil Stooke on 10/26/2020 01:22 am
Or perhaps it is reduced by 3.7 km/s.

Phil

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 08/02/2021 11:48 am
ESA gets ready for double Venus flyby
02/08/2021

Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo are set to make space history with two Venus flybys just 33 hours apart on 9 and 10 August.

The two spacecraft need the gravitational swingby to help them lose a little orbital energy in order to reach their destinations towards the centre of the Solar System. The double flyby also offers an unprecedented opportunity to study the Venus environment from different locations at same time and, moreover, in locations that are not typically visited by a dedicated planetary orbiter.

Solar Orbiter, a partnership between ESA and NASA, will fly by Venus on 9 August with a closest approach of 7995 km at 04:42 UTC. Throughout its mission it makes repeated gravity assist flybys of Venus to get closer to the Sun, and to change its orbital inclination, boosting it out of the ecliptic plane, to get the best – and first – views of the Sun’s poles.

BepiColombo, a partnership between ESA and JAXA, will fly by Venus at 13:48 UTC on 10 August at an altitude of just 550 km. BepiColombo is on its way to the mysterious innermost planet of the solar system, Mercury. It needs flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury itself, together with the spacecraft’s solar electric propulsion system, to help steer into Mercury orbit against the immense gravitational pull of the Sun.

Photos or it didn’t happen

It is not possible to take high-resolution imagery of Venus with the science cameras onboard either mission – Solar Orbiter must remain facing the Sun, and the main camera onboard BepiColombo is shielded by the transfer module that will deliver the two planetary orbiters to Mercury. However, two of BepiColombo’s three monitoring cameras will be taking photos around the time of close approach and in the days after as the planet fades from view.

The cameras provide black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution, and are positioned on the Mercury Transfer Module such that they also capture the spacecraft’s solar arrays and antennas. During the closest approach Venus will fill the entire field of view, but as the spacecraft changes its orientation the planet will be seen passing behind the spacecraft structural elements.

The images will be downloaded in batches, one by one, with the first image expected to be available in the evening of 10 August, and the majority on 11 August.

Furthermore, there may be an opportunity for Solar Orbiter’s SoloHI imager to observe the nightside of Venus in the week before closest approach. SoloHI usually takes images of the solar wind – the stream of charged particles constantly released from the Sun – by capturing the light scattered by electrons in the wind.

It is – unfortunately! – not expected that one spacecraft will be able to image the other. Even at their closest the spacecraft will be more than 575 thousand kilometres apart.

Multipoint science

Solar Orbiter has been acquiring data near-constantly since launch in February 2020 with its four in situ instruments that measure the environment around the spacecraft itself. Both Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter will collect data on the magnetic and plasma environment of Venus from different locations. At the same time, JAXA’s Akatsuki spacecraft is in orbit around Venus, creating a unique constellation of datapoints. It will take many months to collate the coordinated flyby measurements and analyse them in a meaningful way.

The data collected during the flybys will also provide useful inputs to ESA’s future Venus orbiter, EnVision, which was selected earlier this year and will launch to Venus in the 2030s.

Where to next?

Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo both have one more flyby this year.

During the night of 1-2 October BepiColombo will see its destination for the first time, making its first of six flybys of Mercury – with this one from just 200 km distance. The two planetary orbiters will be delivered into Mercury orbit in late 2025, tasked with studying all aspects of this mysterious inner planet from its core to surface processes, magnetic field, and exosphere, to better understand the origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star.

On 27 November, Solar Orbiter will make a final flyby of Earth at 460 km, kicking off the start of its main mission. It will continue to make regular flybys of Venus to progressively increase its orbit inclination to best observe the Sun’s uncharted polar regions, which is key to understanding the Sun’s 11 year activity cycle.

Follow the action!

Follow @ESASolarOrbiter, @bepicolombo together with @ESA_Bepi, @ESA_MTM and @JAXA_MMO, and @Esaoperations for real-time updates during the flybys.

We’ll also be hosting a Twitter Space on Monday 9 Aug around 13:00 CEST to talk all things flybys. Follow the host account @esaoperations for the link nearer the time. If you have questions ask them in advance using #AskESA – if you’re online at the time of the Space, we’ll invite selected speakers to ask their questions live during the chat!

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/ESA_gets_ready_for_double_Venus_flyby
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 08/02/2021 11:50 am
Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo’s double Venus flyby
02/08/2021

Key moments during Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo’s flyby of Venus within 33 hours of each other on 9 and 10 August 2021, respectively.

Times are given in UTC (BST=UTC +1 hours; CEST=UTC +2 hours; JST=UTC +9 hours; EST=UTC -4 hours).

While many of the in situ instruments will be on and collecting data as usual, of particular note is the activation of two of BepiColombo’s three monitoring cameras, which will aim to capture Venus during the flyby and in the days after. The images are not downloaded immediately; it is expected that the first images will be available at the end of the day on 10 August and into 11 August. There is also a potential imaging opportunity for the SoloHI instrument on Solar Orbiter in the week leading up to the flyby.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 08/03/2021 10:15 am
Get ready for a close #VenusFlyby! On 10 Aug we’re flying by at just 550 km altitude! Some @ESA_Bepi + @JAXA_MMO instruments on, plus @ESA_MTM’s #selfie cams during close approach and in the week after.

https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1422141237604331521
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/10/2021 05:56 pm
https://twitter.com/esa_bepi/status/1425152345676079112

Quote
Our first #VenusFlyby images are in! Here’s a quick look from shortly after closest approach. Wow #Venus was bright! 😎  https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/08/BepiColombo_skims_past_Venus
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 08/10/2021 08:08 pm
Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo double fly past Venus

21:17 10 Aug 2021

The solar probe Solar Orbiter and the Mercurial station BepiColombo made a double flyby past Venus, 33 hours apart. This made it possible to simultaneously study both the day and night sides of the planet, as well as its magnetosphere and near-planetary plasma, according to representatives of the missions ( 1 , 2 ) on Twitter.

Venus is of great interest to scientists for many reasons - this planet is very similar to Earth in size and mass, but very different from it in other properties. Planetologists are interested in the planet's current geological activity, the complex dynamics and composition of its atmosphere, including the mystery of the appearance of  phosphine, considered a potential biomarker, as well as the unusual properties of its magnetosphere and ionosphere.

Currently,  only the Japanese Akatsuki spacecraft operates in orbit around Venus , however, scientists have the opportunity to explore the planet during encounters with spacecraft that are sent to the inner solar system, such as   the Parker probe .

On August 9 and 10, two European spacecraft made their first  double flyby of Venus, just 33 hours apart. First, the solar probe Solar Orbiter flew at a minimum distance of 7995 kilometers from the night side of the planet on August 9 at 07:42 Moscow time, and then, on August 10 at 16:51 Moscow time, the Mercurian research station flew by at a minimum distance of 552 kilometers from the day side of Venus BepiColombo.

Both flights were made as part of gravity assist maneuvers near Venus and will give scientists a lot of new scientific data on the magnetosphere, plasma environment and the planet's atmosphere, including images. "BepiColombo" will not return to Venus, and Solar Orbiter will make seven more gravitational maneuvers near the planet in the future.
Earlier we talked about future missions to Venus: the European orbiter  EnVision , the DAVINCI + lander, which is being developed by NASA, the long-lived Russian station "Venera-D", which we wrote about in the  material  and blog , as well as the Indian automatic  spacecraft.

Alexander Voytyuk

https://nplus1.ru/news/2021/08/10/venus-double-flyby

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 08/12/2021 11:42 am
Flying by Venus
12/08/2021

Sequence of 89 images taken by the monitoring cameras on board the European-Japanese BepiColombo mission to Mercury, as the spacecraft made a close approach of Venus on 10 August 2021. It was the second of two Venus gravity assist flybys needed to set course with Mercury.

The sequence includes images from all three Monitoring Cameras (MCAM) onboard the Mercury Transfer Module, which provides black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution. It is not possible to image with the high-resolution camera suite during the cruise phase. The images have been lightly processed to enhance contrast and use the full dynamic range. A small amount of optical vignetting is seen in the corners of some of the images

The sequence covers 13:41 UTC on 10 August to 12:21 UTC on 11 August, corresponding to a distance to Venus surface of 3446 km, close approach of 552 km, then increasing to more than 600 000 km away.

The first image is from MCAM 1, and was taken at 13:41:02 UTC, prior to close approach. As such, the spacecraft was still on the nightside of the planet, but the dayside can just be seen creeping into view. Part of the spacecraft’s solar array can also be seen.

The second image was taken by MCAM 2 at 13:51:56 UTC, two seconds after closest approach. With the Venus surface just 552 km away, the planet fills the entire field of view. The camera is not able to image detail of the planet’s atmosphere. The image also captures the Mercury Planetary Orbiter’s medium gain antenna and magnetometer boom.

The rest of the sequence is from MCAM 3, while the spacecraft was pointed at Venus, and then as it slews away and gradually recedes from view, covering the time period 13:53:56 UTC on 10 August until 12:21:26 UTC on 11 August. The high gain antenna of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter is also seen changing orientation as it points towards Earth.

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 08/12/2021 11:44 am
https://youtu.be/B4SkgFqGUgQ
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 08/12/2021 09:17 pm
BepiColombo spacecraft's close flyby of Venus - See amazing footage

Aug 12, 2021

https://youtu.be/5kuKJ4ovaCM
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: jacqmans on 08/13/2021 12:21 pm
Sights and sounds of a Venus flyby
13/08/2021

ESA’s Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo spacecraft made a historic Venus flyby earlier this week, passing by the planet within 33 hours of each other and capturing unique imagery and data during the encounter.

Solar Orbiter flew past Venus on 9 August at a distance of 7995 km, while BepiColombo skimmed past at just 552 km from the planet’s surface on 10 August. The flybys were needed to give the spacecraft a gravity assist to help them reach their next destinations. BepiColombo will make the first of six flybys at Mercury during the night of 1-2 October, before entering orbit in 2025. Solar Orbiter will make a close Earth flyby on 27 November, before further Venus slingshots will tilt its inclination in order to get the first-ever views of the Sun’s poles.

The Venus flybys required extremely precise deep-space navigation work, ensuring that the spacecraft were on the correct approach trajectories accurate to within just a few kilometres at a distance of 187.7 million km from Earth.

 
Feeling the heat

As expected during BepiColombo’s close flyby, the spacecraft modules felt a rapid increase of heat as it passed from the nightside to dayside of the planet. The JAXA Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), situated inside the sunshield, recorded an increase of 110 degrees Celsius on one of its eight solar panels, from -100ºC to +10ºC. Within the spacecraft itself only an increase of 2-3 degrees was observed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the insulation.

On the European Mercury Transfer Module, a temperature increase of 50 degrees was observed on the spacecraft radiator, while the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) recorded a change of about 20 degrees.

Gravity tug

Both Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo also felt the immense gravitational pull of the planet in the angular momentum of their reaction wheels, which are used to maintain spacecraft attitude, keeping it pointing on course.

The Italian Spring Accelerometer (ISA) onboard the BepiColombo MPO recorded the accelerations measured by the spacecraft with great sensitivity. The ISA team then translated the acceleration data into frequency to make them audible to the human ear. The resulting sound is rich with interesting effects due to the planet’s gravity acting on the spacecraft structure, the response of the spacecraft to the rapid temperature changes, and the reaction wheels that are working hard to compensate for these effects.

The accelerometer also felt the tidal effects acting on the spacecraft as it flew at different distances past Venus. The very small difference in gravitational attraction between BepiColombo’s centre of mass and ISA relative to Venus could be detected, the first time an accelerometer recorded this effect at another planet. The team is analysing this precious data and will use the measurement as a reference to fine-tune the instrument ahead of the scientific phase at Mercury.

Multipoint science

Many of the science instruments were on during the flybys, using the opportunity to collect data on the Venusian magnetic, plasma and particle environment around the spacecraft. Moreover, the unique aspect of the dual flyby is that the two datasets can be compared from locations not usually sampled by a planetary orbiter.

The magnetometer teams from both spacecraft report they saw the effects of the flyby in their data, allowing a rare glimpse into the solar wind interaction with a planetary atmosphere.

The BepiColombo MPO magnetometer team created a simple sonification of the variability of the total magnetic field as they flew past Venus. The audio captures low-frequency wind-like noises caused by the solar wind and its interaction with Venus. The sudden transition of the spacecraft into the very calm solar wind at the bow shock (the location where the planet’s magnetosphere meets the solar wind) is clearly recorded.

The Solar Orbiter magnetometer team also describes the magnetic field increasing in magnitude due to the compression of the field as they travelled past the flanks of the planet, and then a sharp drop as they crossed the bow shock back into the solar wind again.

And while Solar Orbiter crossed through the tail of the magnetosphere and out of the bow shock into the solar wind, BepiColombo was ‘upstream’, so the teams will know the input magnetic field conditions throughout the encounter to see how Venus has affected the solar wind downstream. It will take many weeks to make a detailed analysis of the two datasets.

Sensors on both BepiColombo MPO and MMO were also monitoring for ions circulating in the magnetosphere and in the close vicinity of Venus. Particles follow electromagnetic fields, and are also strongly related to processes in the ionosphere and atmosphere. For example, the SERENA/PICAM ion particle detector on MPO clearly measured a peak in hydrogen ion density during the closest approach. SERENA is the Search for Exospheric Refilling and Emitted Natural Abundances instrument suite and PICAM is the Planetary Ion Camera.

With the close encounter, MPO’s MErcury Radiometer and Thermal infrared Imaging Spectrometer (MERTIS) could capture spectra of the Venus atmosphere while the planet completely filled its field of view. Such high resolution spectra of Venus have not been obtained since the Venera 15 mission in the early 1980s. A first look at the MERTIS data shows the expected band of carbon dioxide and hints of more spectral features. The detailed analysis revealing the thermal structure in the atmosphere and potentially sulphur dioxide abundance will take many weeks. Apart from the scientific value of this data, it will also help to verify the instrument calibration in preparation for the first thermal infrared observations of Mercury by a spacecraft.

Venus photobomb

It was not possible to take high-resolution imagery of Venus with the science cameras onboard either mission, but both could use other instruments to capture black-and-white imagery.

Solar Orbiter’s SoloHI imager observed the nightside of Venus in the days before closest approach. SoloHI usually takes images of the solar wind – the stream of charged particles constantly released from the Sun – by capturing the light scattered by electrons in the wind. In the days leading up to the Venus flyby, the telescope caught the dramatic glare of the planet’s dayside. The footage shows Venus moving across the field of view from the left, while the Sun is off camera to the upper right. The planet's nightside, the part hidden from the Sun, appears as a dark semicircle surrounded by a bright crescent of light.

BepiColombo’s three monitoring cameras captured a series of black-and-white snapshots, starting from the approach over the nightside, through closest approach and in the days after as the planet faded from view. The full set of images from the flyby is available in the Planetary Science Archive.


Where to next?

Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo both have one more flyby this year.

During the night of 1-2 October BepiColombo will see its destination for the first time, making its first of six flybys of Mercury at a distance of just 200 km distance. The two planetary orbiters will be delivered into Mercury orbit in late 2025, tasked with studying all aspects of this mysterious inner planet from its core to surface processes, magnetic field, and exosphere, to better understand the origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star.

On 27 November, Solar Orbiter will make a final flyby of Earth at 460 km, kicking off the start of its main mission. It will continue to make regular flybys of Venus to progressively increase its orbit inclination to best observe the Sun’s uncharted polar regions, which is key to understanding the Sun’s 11 year activity cycle.

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Sights_and_sounds_of_a_Venus_flyby


https://youtu.be/OwBCBWJLrmY

https://youtu.be/RyvqmHo0JSk

https://youtu.be/j_RJyaqLkuY
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 08/14/2021 02:53 pm
Pair of spacecraft fly by Venus - See pics and hear sonified audio

https://youtu.be/RQFZEjQJcvE
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/24/2021 08:32 pm
First flyby to Mercury

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1441392336521482252

Quote
One week 'til our first #MercuryFlyby! Closest approach of about 200 km will be at 23:34 UTC on 1 October. I'll tell you more details about it next week, as we get closer!
#StayTuned #ExploreFarther
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/24/2021 08:51 pm
https://sci.esa.int/web/bepicolombo/-/59288-bepicolombo-s-journey-to-mercury (video)

BepiColombo flybys timeline

01 Oct 2021 - Mercury

23 Jun 2022 - Mercury

20 Jun 2023 - Mercury

05 Sept 2024 - Mercury

02 Dec 2024 - Mercury

09 Jan 2025 - Mercury

05 Dec 2025 - Arrival
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/28/2021 10:13 am
BepiColombo’s first Mercury flyby – key moments

Key moments during BepiColombo’s first Mercury flyby on 1 October 2021, which will see the spacecraft pass within 200 km of the planet at 23:34 UTC.

While many of the in situ instruments will be on and collecting data as usual, two of BepiColombo’s three monitoring cameras will also be activated shortly after close approach. The images will be downlinked later in the morning of 2 October.

Not to scale: the relative sizes of planets and spacecraft, and the attitude of the spacecraft is not representative.

Related article: Mercury ahead! (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/Mercury_ahead!)

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/09/BepiColombo_s_first_Mercury_flyby_key_moments

Image credit: ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 09/29/2021 12:20 pm

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1442800222292299778

Quote
For our #MercuryFlyby @ESA_MTM will start taking pics a few mins after close approach; we'll send them back one-by-one over the course of Saturday morning. Hopefully you'll get to see the first one with your breakfast (European friends)!

Image credit: ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: redliox on 09/30/2021 03:47 pm
Barely a day away now.  Wish approach images could happen, but understandably Bepi is approaching from Mercury's less-than-photogenic dark side.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/02/2021 09:58 am
twitter.com/planet4589/status/1444112677090045956

Quote
The Euro-Japanese BepiColombo mission is completing its first flyby of the planet Mercury. Based on the ephemeris data on JPL Horizons, I estimate Bepi entered the Mercurial gravitational sphere at 1427 UTC Oct 1 and flew past the surface at a height of 196 km at 2336 UTC

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1444113036726480906

Quote
Bepi will leave Mercury's gravitational sphere at 0845 UTC Oct 2, having changed its heliocentric orbit slightly from 0.335 x 0.731 AU x 6.6 deg to 0.321 x 0.695 AU x 6.8 deg
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/02/2021 09:59 am
https://twitter.com/esa_bepi/status/1444218331595169795

Quote
Hello, Mercury!

This splendid view of part of Mercury's northern hemisphere was captured by @ESA_MTM about 10 mins after #MercuryFlyby close approach, from a distance of 2420km.

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/10/Hello_Mercury

#ExploreFarther
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 10/02/2021 03:40 pm
BepiColombo’s first views of Mercury (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_s_first_views_of_Mercury)

Quote
The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission has captured its first views of its destination planet Mercury as it swooped past in a close gravity assist flyby last night.

The closest approach took place at 23:34 UTC on 1 October at an altitude of 199 km from the planet’s surface. Images from the spacecraft’s monitoring cameras, along with scientific data from a number of instruments, were collected during the encounter. The images were already downloaded over the course of Saturday morning, and a selection of first impressions are presented here.

Quote
All MCAM images will be publicly available in the Planetary Science Archive next week. Some first-look science impressions may also be available next week.

Credits: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 10/03/2021 01:44 pm
From Messenger to BepiColombo

BepiColombo, with its two science orbiters, is set to build on the achievements of NASA’s Messenger mission, to provide the best understanding of the Solar System’s innermost planet to date.

This graphic highlights select Messenger discoveries, and indicates how BepiColombo will follow up.

Related articles:

- From Messenger to BepiColombo (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/From_Messenger_to_BepiColombo)

- Mercury ahead! (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/Mercury_ahead!)

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2018/10/From_Messenger_to_BepiColombo

Image credit: ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Star One on 10/04/2021 04:54 pm
Meeting Mercury:

https://youtu.be/GdOLeGeqAEI
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 10/08/2021 08:06 am
https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1445675072216129540

Quote
Woosh! All of @ESA_MTM’s #MercuryFlyby MCAM images  are now in the Planetary Science Archive!  ENJOY! 🤩 And do share with us any cool gifs or other image products you come up with, they will keep me inspired until my next flyby! @esapsanews
   
⏩https://archives.esac.esa.int/psa/#!Image%20View/MCAM=instrument
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 10/15/2021 01:35 pm
ESA's article about science results of Mercury's first flyby: BepiColombo’s first tastes of Mercury science (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_s_first_tastes_of_Mercury_science)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: redliox on 06/11/2022 04:30 am
Less than 2 weeks until we're treated with another flyby of Mercury!
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/16/2022 10:34 am
One week 'til our second #MercuryFlyby! Closest approach of about 200km altitude over the surface of #Mercury is at 11:44 CEST on Thurs 23 June. Join me early next week as we get closer, for more details!

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1537370692336898048
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/20/2022 10:14 am
Only a few days now until our second @BepiColombo #MercuryFlyby..

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1538802868890832896
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: bolun on 06/20/2022 01:32 pm
BepiColombo’s second Mercury flyby

Key moments during BepiColombo’s second Mercury flyby on 23 June 2022. The spacecraft will skim the surface at an altitude of about 200 km at its closest approach, at 09:44 UTC (11:44 CEST).

Many of the in situ instruments will be on and collecting data as usual, and BepiColombo’s three monitoring cameras will also be activated. The images will be downlinked during the afternoon of 23 June and released over the following days.

Not to scale: the relative sizes of planets and spacecraft, and the attitude of the spacecraft is not representative.

Related article: BepiColombo lines up for second Mercury flyby (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_lines_up_for_second_Mercury_flyby)

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/06/BepiColombo_s_second_Mercury_flyby

Image credit: ESA
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/23/2022 10:08 am
Get ready for #BepiColombo's second #MercuryFlyby today!

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1539878299618492417
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/23/2022 10:09 am
The closest approach of our second #MercuryFlyby is happening now! #staytuned for images later today!

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1539907152336257025
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/23/2022 10:11 am
Feeling the presence of #Mercury as we make our second #MercuryFlyby at just 200 km from its surface! This gravity assist will slow our velocity in relation to the Sun by about 1.3 km/s. More details about today..

https://twitter.com/ESA_Bepi/status/1539910142048849921

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 06/23/2022 02:27 pm
https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1539973407852269570
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 06/23/2022 02:29 pm
BepiColombo surveys Mercury’s rich geology (https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/06/BepiColombo_surveys_Mercury_s_rich_geology)

The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission captured this beautiful view of Mercury’s rich geological landscape on 23 June 2022 as the spacecraft flew past the planet for a gravity assist manoeuvre.

The image was taken at 09:49:22 UTC by the Mercury Transfer Module’s Monitoring Camera 2, when the spacecraft was within about 920 km from the surface of Mercury. Closest approach of about 200 km took place shortly before, at 09:44 UTC. In this view, north is roughly towards the top right.

The cameras provide black-and-white snapshots in 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution. The image has been interpolated to 2048 x 2048 pixels to sharpen the details. Some imaging artefacts such as horizontal striping are also visible.

Parts of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter can also be seen, notably the magnetometer boom running from bottom left to top right, and a small part of the medium-gain antenna at bottom right. The magnetometer boom roughly follows the ‘terminator’– the boundary between the night and day side of the planet. The lighting conditions in this image are different to any recorded by NASA’s MESSENGER mission to Mercury for this region, enhancing the differences between smooth terrains and older rough terrains. Large impact craters, including a 200 km wide multi-ringed basin partly hidden by the magnetometer boom can also clearly be made out along with other geological features.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: redliox on 06/24/2022 01:11 am
Is it just the webcams and fields equipment available for science? I understand alot is still physically stowed under a shield and Mio, but curious what was collecting data.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Phil Stooke on 06/24/2022 06:35 am
"Is it just the webcams and fields equipment available for science? I understand alot is still physically stowed under a shield and Mio, but curious what was collecting data."


This link (at the top of this page) answers your question.

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_lines_up_for_second_Mercury_flyby (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_lines_up_for_second_Mercury_flyby)

Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/24/2022 09:46 am
#BepiColombo's first sighting of the giant Caloris basin, shadows cast at sunrise, and a rare candidate volcano are our top picks from yesterday's #MercuryFlyby.

https://twitter.com/BepiColombo/status/1540259362345832448
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/24/2022 09:59 am
BepiColombo sees Mercury for the second time

19:13 23 June 2022

The devices of the Mercury research mission "BepiColombo" successfully completed the second gravity maneuver near the planet, flying at a minimum distance of 200 kilometers from its surface. During the approach, the probes obtained images of Mercury and data on its magnetosphere and near-planetary environment, the ESA tweeted.

Until recently, only two research vehicles visited Mercury - this is due to the difficulties of flying to the planet closest to the Sun. BepiColombo is the third interplanetary mission to explore Mercury, which is being conducted by the European Space Agency in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. It launched  in the fall of 2018, two scientific vehicles went into space (the European MPO (Mercury Planetary Orbiter) and the Japanese MMO (Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter), as well as the MTM flight module, which acts as an interplanetary tug.

In almost four years, BepiColombo made only one rendezvous with its target, and also  made  several gravitational maneuvers near Earth and Venus. Only in December 2025 will the probes enter working polar orbits, and the annual scientific program will begin in early 2026.

On the morning of June 23, 2022, the vehicles performed the second gravity maneuver near Mercury, finding themselves at a minimum distance of 200 kilometers from the surface of the planet. During the rendezvous, three BepiColombo monitoring black-and-white cameras took pictures of the planet, and the onboard instruments were engaged in studying magnetic fields and the plasma environment in the vicinity of the probes. At the same time, the speed of BepiColombo relative to the Sun decreased by 1.3 kilometers per second, which brings the devices closer to the orbit of Mercury.

About what secrets of the planet closest to the Sun "BepiColombo" will reveal, you can read in our material "To Mercury for Water" .

Alexander Voytyuk

https://nplus1.ru/news/2022/06/23/bepicolombo-second-flyby-mercury
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/25/2022 10:19 am
The Bepi-Colombo probe made its second Mercury flyby on Jun 23.
Periapsis of the 201 x -6182 km  x 16.7 deg flyby hyperbola was at 0944 UTC Jun 23. The probe was within the planet's gravitational sphere of influence from 0057 to 1835 UTC.

The encounter changed the probe's solar orbit from  0.322 x 0.691 AU x 6.7 deg to 0.305  x 0.631 AU x 5.9 deg. The next Mercury flyby is in June 2023.

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1540516292935000064
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/27/2022 09:26 am
Oh yes!

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1541332765228113921
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Rondaz on 06/27/2022 12:25 pm
BepiColombo flies by Mercury for second time - See the view!

https://youtu.be/v--VKnBSnSo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/14/2023 11:57 am
https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1668892668473094144

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#BepiColombo teams are gearing up for the third #MercuryFlyby on 19 June! We'll pass the planet's surface within 240 km altitude at 20:34 BST/21:34 CEST #StayTuned
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_braces_for_third_Mercury_flyby

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This is the 6th flyby overall, following 1 Earth, 2 Venus and 2 previously at Mercury, needed to help steer into #Mercury orbit in 2025 🛰️🌑⤴️

https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1668893426715181058

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The flybys, together with more than 15 000 hours-worth of solar electric propulsion operations,  are needed to help the spacecraft fight against the enormous gravitational pull of our Sun!
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: redliox on 06/14/2023 05:58 pm
Nearly forgot we had another flyby coming soon!  I always enjoy planetary encounters in my birth month.
 :)
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/19/2023 01:57 pm
https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1670787447305764864?s=46&t=b9kcFbbE22_jy8ETqAerSQ

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#Mercury is in our sights as we speed towards tonight's close #MercuryFlyby!

This image was taken just a few hours ago at 10:32 UT/12:32 CEST from a distance of about 121 000 km.

📷https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/06/Mercury_ahead  #BepiColombo #ExploreFarther

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The day-night side on #Mercury is clearly visible and you may just be able to make out the difference between lighter and darker terrain on the planet's surface.

Note the horizontal striping is an image artefact.

https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1670790304616661000

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Tonight's close approach takes place at 19:34 UT / 21:34 CEST; we expect to have some highlights from the close approach imaging sequence ready for sharing tomorrow afternoon (European time) #StayTuned

Flyby details👉https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_braces_for_third_Mercury_flyby
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/20/2023 06:27 am
https://twitter.com/esa_bepi/status/1671041953985703938

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Thank you #Mercury for the boost last night! 🤝

We're on track following yesterday's #MercuryFlyby 😅
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/20/2023 06:05 pm
https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1671186652499259394

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A trio of images to highlight #BepiColombo's 3rd #MercuryFlyby, featuring a newly named crater and various geological and tectonic curiosities. Enjoy this first-look taste of our flyby!
Details & images👉https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/A_trio_of_images_highlight_BepiColombo_s_third_Mercury_flyby

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Rising out of the nightside this shadowy view taken about 15 mins after close approach accentuates the heights of snaking tectonic scarps and the depths of craters

🔗esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…

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A beautiful wide view of Mercury's varied terrain, with newly named Manley crater in honour of artist Edna Manley close to centre

🔗esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…

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Finally, the spacecraft gave a 'farewell hug' to #Mercury before slewing away and continuing on its journey 🤗

🔗esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/22/2023 08:42 am
https://twitter.com/esa_bepi/status/1671800543688241152

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I suspect you have been waiting for this 😉 Enjoy this beautiful compilation of 217 images from our #MercuryFlyby set to some special music by @hausofila

The story behind👉 https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/BepiColombo_s_third_Mercury_flyby_the_movie
#ExploreFarther
#BepiColombo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: catdlr on 06/22/2023 09:37 am
YouTube with the same video

https://youtu.be/3pujIIK4NNQ
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/23/2023 12:06 am
https://twitter.com/haygenwarren/status/1671954138383482905

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On June 19th at 19:34 UTC, ESA's BepiColombo spacecraft, which is in the midst of its seven-year journey to Mercury, successfully completed its third flyby of the solar system’s innermost planet.

Article by Justin Davenport (@Bubbinski) ⬇️

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/bepicolombo-flyby-3/
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/23/2023 07:52 am
https://twitter.com/bepicolombo/status/1672143430879703042

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Did you know? Today is one year since our 2nd #MercuryFlyby!

Following this week's 3rd of 6 Mercury flybys, here's what's coming up next...

🗓️Timeline👉esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…

#OTD #ExploreFarther #BepiColombo
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Blackstar on 02/06/2024 04:46 pm
Some screenshots from a presentation at MExAG today. Only caught the end of one and the restart of another that had dropped off because of internet problems.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Blackstar on 02/06/2024 05:17 pm
MExAG is the Mercury Exploration Analysis Group. These AGs have increased in number in recent years. For a long time there used to be MEPAG, OPAG, VEXAG, LEAG, and then SBAG (small bodies like comets and asteroids). I don't know when MExAG was created. There is also Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG). I think there has been talk about an astrobiology AG and I think there has been talk of an ocean worlds AG. I don't know if the latter have been created, however. I don't see any indications of that yet. There is an Ocean Worlds Working Group, but it is not the same thing.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: vjkane on 02/12/2024 06:35 pm
MExAG is the Mercury Exploration Analysis Group. These AGs have increased in number in recent years. For a long time there used to be MEPAG, OPAG, VEXAG, LEAG, and then SBAG (small bodies like comets and asteroids). I don't know when MExAG was created. There is also Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG). I think there has been talk about an astrobiology AG and I think there has been talk of an ocean worlds AG. I don't know if the latter have been created, however. I don't see any indications of that yet. There is an Ocean Worlds Working Group, but it is not the same thing.
There are also a few AGs in the astrophysics world. There's one on Exoplanets, I believe
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: Blackstar on 02/12/2024 08:21 pm
MExAG is the Mercury Exploration Analysis Group. These AGs have increased in number in recent years. For a long time there used to be MEPAG, OPAG, VEXAG, LEAG, and then SBAG (small bodies like comets and asteroids). I don't know when MExAG was created. There is also Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG). I think there has been talk about an astrobiology AG and I think there has been talk of an ocean worlds AG. I don't know if the latter have been created, however. I don't see any indications of that yet. There is an Ocean Worlds Working Group, but it is not the same thing.
There are also a few AGs in the astrophysics world. There's one on Exoplanets, I believe

I think that is true. The problem for planetary, however, is that creating more of these may be splintering the communities. There was this effort during the decadal survey to try and break down the barriers between the sciences and between the planetary communities. The goal was to enable people to cross-pollinate the science. But if you end up with a separate AG for each planetary body in the solar system, you're not helping with that.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: vjkane on 02/12/2024 09:33 pm
I think that is true. The problem for planetary, however, is that creating more of these may be splintering the communities. There was this effort during the decadal survey to try and break down the barriers between the sciences and between the planetary communities. The goal was to enable people to cross-pollinate the science. But if you end up with a separate AG for each planetary body in the solar system, you're not helping with that.
All the inner worlds (including the moon) have their own AG.

SBAG combines asteroids, comets, and trans-Plutonian worlds. Not much activity in mission planning for the latter category.

Poor OPAG has both the giant planets and all the icy ocean worlds, which is actually quite the stretch in terms of techniques and themes.
Title: Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
Post by: vjkane on 02/14/2024 01:14 am
MExAG is the Mercury Exploration Analysis Group. These AGs have increased in number in recent years. For a long time there used to be MEPAG, OPAG, VEXAG, LEAG, and then SBAG (small bodies like comets and asteroids). I don't know when MExAG was created. There is also Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG). I think there has been talk about an astrobiology AG and I think there has been talk of an ocean worlds AG. I don't know if the latter have been created, however. I don't see any indications of that yet. There is an Ocean Worlds Working Group, but it is not the same thing.
There are also a few AGs in the astrophysics world. There's one on Exoplanets, I believe

I think that is true. The problem for planetary, however, is that creating more of these may be splintering the communities. There was this effort during the decadal survey to try and break down the barriers between the sciences and between the planetary communities. The goal was to enable people to cross-pollinate the science. But if you end up with a separate AG for each planetary body in the solar system, you're not helping with that.