MISSIONS

Mercury Exploration Mission "BepiColombo"

Under Development

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November 29, 2011 Updated

MMO flight model Electrical interface check(EIC)/Mechanical interface check(MIC)

Electrical interface check(EIC)/Mechanical interface check(MIC) for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) flight model is underway at the Flight Environment Test Building, Sagamihara Campus.
This test is the first comprehensive test on the satellite flight model to mainly verify the electric interface with signals and commands as well as the mechanical interface.
The satellite is a very complicated system composed of a tremendous number of components, thus this test confirms performance of all devices by assembling everything, and clarifies any electric and mechanical inconsistencies or functional anomalies, if there are any. By doing so, a problematic part can be appropriately repaired before the unit-by-unit environment tests so that we can minimize the schedule delay due to anomalies.
After the EIC/MIC test, each device will be disassembled again for a unit-by-unit test or for repairs, if necessary.

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Overview

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BepiColombo will elucidate the mysteries of Mercury

(Courtesy of Akihiro Ikeshita)

BepiColombo is a Mercury exploration project jointly planned by Japan and the European Space Agency (ESA). The proximity of Mercury to the Sun makes it difficult to observe and hard to reach by space flight. Three passes by NASA’s Mariner 10 in 1974-75 have been the only exploration conducted so far. The mission was inspired by the late Italian astrophysicist Dr. Giuseppe "Bepi" Colombo, who suggested that a spacecraft could get close to Mercury several times by using a gravity-assist swing-by of Venus. Hence the name of the project, BepiColombo.
Mariner 10 revealed the presence of a magnetic field and magnetospheric activities in Mercury. BepiColombo will conduct comprehensive observations of Mercury’s magnetic field, magnetosphere, and both its surface and interior. That will help determine how much it has in common with other planets and what elements are unique to Mercury as well as the origin and evolution of terrestrial planets.


Observation mission by BepiColombo

This project consists of two orbiters. Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) will observe the surface and interior; Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) will observe the magnetic field and the magnetosphere. JAXA is responsible for MMO, as Japan excels in the study of magnetic fields and magnetospheres. ESA is responsible for the launcher, the interplanetary cruising engine, the placement of BepiColombo into Mercury’s orbit, and the development of MPO.
MMO and MPO will be launched by the Ariane 5 launch vehicle at the same time, then separate when they arrive at the orbit of Mercury, and observe Mercury for about 1 year under collaboration.