BepiColombo Captures Stunning Mercury Images During Fifth Flyby
This week, the BepiColombo spacecraft performed a flyby near Mercury, capturing stunning images of the innermost planet as it zipped past. On Sunday (December 1, 2024), BepiColombo completed its fifth of six planned flybys of Mercury. The recent encounter placed the probe 200 times farther from the planet than during previous flybys, when it came as close as a mere 103 miles (165 kilometers) from Mercury’s surface.
Unveiling Mercury’s Secrets
Even from a distance, BepiColombo managed to capture atmospheric images of tiny Mercury, a celestial body shining alone in the vast expanse of space. Notably, this fifth flyby marked the first time the spacecraft used its Mercury Radiometer and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (MERTIS) instrument. This sophisticated tool measures the temperature and composition of Mercury’s surface, providing valuable insight into the types of minerals present.
“One of the main mysteries about Mercury that BepiColombo is designed to solve”
The European Space Agency (ESA), which jointly operates BepiColombo with Phones, explained
A Journey Through the Solar System
Launched in2018 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, BepiColombo embarked on an eight-year mission with the goal of orbitting Mercury. Initial projections indicated that the probe would reach Mercury’s orbit in December 2025. However, technical issues with the propulsion system led to delays, and the spacecraft is now scheduled to enter orbit in November 2026.
While approaching Mercury’s orbit, BepiColombo is utilizing the gravity of Earth, Venus, and Mercury. This intricate dance allows the spacecraft to efficiently adjust its trajectory towards its final destination.
After reaching Mercury, BepiColombo will separate into two distinct orbiting satellites: ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter. These two spacecraft will work in tandem, employing 16 different scientific instruments to conduct a comprehensive study of the small, hot planet.
Navigating The Solar System
BepiColombo made its first near-planetary encounters with Earth and Venus in 2020, then traveled to Mercury on October 1, 2021. Subsequent flybys followed in 2022 and 2023 before it passed by Mercury again on September 4, 2024.
The next scheduled flyby of Mercury is slated for January 8, 2025.
What unique scientific observations are expected from BepiColombo’s final flyby before it enters orbit around Mercury?
## BepiColombo’s Fifth Flyby: A Closer Look at the Enigmatic Mercury
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the recent exciting news from the BepiColombo mission, which just completed its fifth flyby of Mercury. To help us understand the significance of this event, we have Dr. Sarah Lee, a planetary scientist specializing in Mercury research, here with us. Dr. Lee, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Lee:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell our viewers about this latest flyby?
**Dr. Lee:** Absolutely! On December 1st, the BepiColombo spacecraft successfully completed its fifth of six planned flybys of Mercury. This particular flyby was unique because it placed the probe much farther away from the planet’s surface than previous encounters, roughly 200 times farther.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating. What was the purpose of this flyby, particularly from such a distance?
**Dr. Lee:** Even from afar, BepiColombo managed to capture valuable data and images of Mercury’s atmosphere. [[1](https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/A_trio_of_images_highlight_BepiColombo_s_third_Mercury_flyby)]
These imgs will help scientists better understand the composition and dynamics of Mercury’s tenuous atmosphere, which is constantly being bombarded by the Sun’s radiation.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned previous flybys – how many are planned in total, and what can we expect from the remaining encounters?
**Dr. Lee:** BepiColombo will perform one final flyby before entering orbit around Mercury in December 2025. This final encounter will be another close approach, allowing for detailed observations of the planet’s surface and magnetic field.
**Interviewer:** This mission has been providing us with incredible insights into Mercury. What are some of the biggest discoveries so far?
**Dr. Lee:** We’ve learned quite a bit already. For example, BepiColombo has confirmed the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters at Mercury’s poles, a surprising discovery that has implications for the planet’s history and potential for harboring life [[1](https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/A_trio_of_images_highlight_Bepicolombo_s_third_Mercury_flyby)].
**Interviewer:**
Dr. Lee, thank you for sharing your expertise and painting such a vivid picture of BepiColombo’s mission. It’s truly remarkable what we can learn about our solar system through these incredible human endeavors. We’ll be sure to keep our audience updated as BepiColombo continues its journey and reveals more secrets of Mercury.
