https://twitter.com/AuerSusan/status/913002901047582723Quote Susanne Auer @AuerSusanAn interesting detail from the #Arianespace #IAC2017 presentation:#BepiColombo will launch 2018#JWST one year later in 2019 #ESA #NASA
Susanne Auer @AuerSusanAn 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 IAC2017Calapine aka Susanne Auer
Clash of launch site preparation places with BepiColombo which has a planetary launch window to chase in October 2018.
Mercury Transfer Module in space simulator
Title Mercury Transfer Module in space simulatorReleased 07/12/2017 2:00 pmCopyright ESA–C. Carreau , CC BY-SA 3.0 IGODescriptionThe 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 environmentThe 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.
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.
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
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
Managed to capture @BepiColombo @ESA_Bepi while flying close to #ESTEC on it's way to Kourou
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
#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.