Author Topic: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates  (Read 116297 times)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #100 on: 09/28/2017 03:17 pm »
Cross-posts from Arianespace launch schedule thread:

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."
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #101 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
« Last Edit: 12/07/2017 02:40 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #102 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.

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #103 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

Offline jacqmans

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #104 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.
Jacques :-)

Offline Star One

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Offline TheFallen

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #106 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 )
« Last Edit: 04/05/2018 04:40 am by TheFallen »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #107 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

Offline woods170

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #108 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.
« Last Edit: 04/09/2018 05:16 pm by woods170 »

Offline eeergo

Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #109 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.
-DaviD-

Offline eeergo

Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #110 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
-DaviD-

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #111 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

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #112 on: 04/25/2018 09:59 am »

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #113 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
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Offline eeergo

Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #114 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
-DaviD-

Offline woods170

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #115 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.

Offline jacqmans

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #116 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
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #117 on: 05/03/2018 09:38 am »
Jacques :-)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #118 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

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates
« Reply #119 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
« Last Edit: 05/10/2018 05:27 pm by bolun »

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