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BepiColombo: Europe and Japan's Joint Mission to Mercury
Unveiling the Enigma of Earth's Closest Neighbor
Introduction
BepiColombo is a joint venture between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to explore the planet Mercury. As Earth's closest neighbor, Mercury remains the least understood terrestrial planet in our solar system.
Mission Objectives
The primary goal of BepiColombo is to shed light on Mercury's composition, geophysics, atmosphere, and magnetosphere. The mission will delve into the planet's unique geology, its magnetic field, and its interaction with the solar wind.
Spacecraft Design
BepiColombo comprises two separate spacecraft: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO). The MPO will orbit Mercury itself, while the MMO will study the planet's magnetosphere from a wider perspective.
Journey to Mercury
Launched in October 2018, BepiColombo is expected to reach Mercury in late 2025. The spacecraft will undergo multiple gravity assists from Earth, Venus, and Mercury itself to enter Mercury's orbit.
Scientific Significance
BepiColombo's findings are anticipated to revolutionize our understanding of Mercury and provide important insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system. The mission will complement the work of NASA's MESSENGER probe, which orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015.
Conclusion
BepiColombo is a testament to the power of international collaboration in space exploration. The mission promises to unlock the secrets of Mercury and deepen our knowledge of our cosmic neighborhood.
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