BepiColombo Spacecraft Prepares for Mercury Arrival After Eight-Year Journey
After eight years of interplanetary travel, the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission is set to begin its Mercury Arrival Phase. On September 3, 2026, the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) will separate from BepiColombo's two science orbiters — the first major step in what ESA describes as one of the most operationally challenging planetary arrival sequences ever attempted.
The separation marks a critical milestone in the mission's journey to the solar system's innermost planet. Following this event, the science orbiters will continue their descent toward Mercury, where they will conduct observations designed to deepen our understanding of the planet's geology, magnetic field, and surface composition.
ESA will livestream the separation event from mission control, offering viewers the opportunity to watch this pivotal moment in real time. The mission represents a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency and JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, combining expertise from both agencies in planetary exploration.
BepiColombo launched in 2018, utilizing a series of gravity assists from Earth, Venus, and Mercury itself to fine-tune its trajectory toward the small, rocky planet. The Mercury Arrival Phase represents the culmination of years of careful planning and navigation, setting the stage for what scientists hope will be years of productive observation at one of the solar system's least-explored worlds.