ESA/JAXA - BepiColombo updates

[bolun]

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

[bolun]

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

[bolun]

JAXA´s brochure

http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/brochure/pdf/04/sat27.pdf

[bolun]

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

[bolun]

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

[bolun]

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

[bolun]

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

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/GEwc6Poi4dg&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/GEwc6Poi4dg&rel=1</a>

BepiColombo horizontal vibration test

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/hX2sf5xDkBk&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/hX2sf5xDkBk&rel=1</a>

[bolun]

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

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/qhTHvaUZh0k&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/qhTHvaUZh0k&rel=1</a>

[plutogno]

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.

[nethegauner]

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?

[GClark]

Does the plan still include phasing orbits and a Lunar flyby to depart Earth?

[plutogno]

thanks everyone, but I was looking for more specific dates (at least month and year)

[bolun]

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

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

[bolun]

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

[Jester]

Currently at ESTEC doing bake out (almost done)

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