BepiColombo spacecraft begins autonomous separation en route to Mercury

BepiColombo spacecraft begins autonomous separation en route to Mercury

Science Technologie

ESA and JAXA reported that on 3 September the BepiColombo spacecraft began autonomous separation of its two orbiters en route to Mercury, a step confirmed on 6 September. Earlier reports said the mission had been preparing for the separation, with Gizmodo noting the planned detachment of the Mercury Transfer Module on 3 September to start the final polar-orbit phase. CNN added that the spacecraft would begin orbital insertion after a series of flybys covering more than six billion miles since launch, and AP News confirmed the successful detachment and said orbital insertion is expected in November.

Acteurs

European Space Agency (ESA) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) BepiColombo mission Mercury Transfer Module Mercury Planet Orbiter Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter

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Mercury

Articles

6 septembre 2026
1 au total
Spacecraft draw closer to Mercury after nearly decade-long voyage
Spacecraft draw closer to Mercury after nearly decade-long voyage

The Weather Channel • 06 sept. 04h00

The European-Japanese BepiColombo probe detached from its carrier on Thursday and is on track to reach Mercury in November, with scientific observations slated to begin next spring.

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3 septembre 2026
3 au total
Spacecraft bound for Mercury begins 'tricky' arrival
Spacecraft bound for Mercury begins 'tricky' arrival

yahoo.com • 03 sept. 15h09

The joint European-Japanese BepiColombo mission started its final approach to Mercury, successfully separating its two orbiters after an eight-year, 10-billion-kilometre journey.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 9% Centre
The BepiColombo mission draws closer to Mercury
The BepiColombo mission draws closer to Mercury

AP News • 03 sept. 14h57

The European and Japanese components of the BepiColombo probe successfully detached from their carrier and continue toward Mercury, with orbital insertion expected in November.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 7% Centre
Mission to solve Mercury’s mysteries nears arrival after 8 years
Mission to solve Mercury’s mysteries nears arrival after 8 years

CNN • 03 sept. 07h00

The joint ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission is set to detach its transfer module and begin orbital insertion around Mercury, with a series of flybys and electric propulsion having taken it over six billion miles since its 2018 launch.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 8% Centre
1 septembre 2026
1 au total
BepiColombo Survived a Glitchy 8-Year Trip to Mercury. Now Comes the Hard Part
BepiColombo Survived a Glitchy 8-Year Trip to Mercury. Now Comes the Hard Part

Gizmodo • 01 sept. 17h15

ESA and JAXA's BepiColombo mission will separate its Mercury Transfer Module from the two orbiters on Sept. 3, beginning the final phase that will place each probe into polar orbit around Mercury after a delayed eight-year journey.

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