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The European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) joint mission, BepiColombo, has taken some of the most remarkable closeup images of Mercury ever seen.
The spacecraft successfully completed its fourth gravity assist flyby of Mercury on 4 September 2024, coming within 165 km of Mercury's surface and using the planet’s gravity to guide its trajectory. The mission aims to enter orbit around Mercury in November 2026.
During this flyby, BepiColombo captured images of Mercury’s surface, including two undiscovered impact craters. This also marks the first time the spacecraft had a clear view of the planet’s south pole.
"The main aim of the flyby was to reduce BepiColombo’s speed relative to the Sun," explained Frank Budnik, BepiColombo Flight Dynamics Manager. “It was a huge success... but it also gave us the chance to take photos and carry out science measurements from unique perspectives.”
The mission’s cameras provided stunning views, especially M-CAM 2, which captured a detailed image of the large Vivaldi crater, a 210 km-wide 'peak ring basin'. These craters, formed by asteroid or comet impacts, are characterised by a central ring of peaks, which scientists are keen to study.
Another highlight was the newly named Stoddart crater, a 155 km-wide formation. Named after New Zealand artist Margaret Stoddart, it was selected for its scientific interest.
This flyby also saw scientific instruments switched on to collect data on Mercury’s magnetic and plasma environment. The spacecraft's main science phase is set to begin in 2027, once it enters orbit, and promises to unlock new mysteries about this least-explored inner planet.
BepiColombo’s next two flybys are scheduled for December 2024 and January 2025, as it continues its journey towards Mercury.
When: 04 Sep 2024
Credit: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM/Cover Images
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
2024-09-04
Cover Images/East News
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