BepiColombo Mission Captures Images of Mercury’s Impact Craters and Tectonic Features

ESA/JAXA BepiColombo Mission Captures Stunning Images of Mercury During Flyby

June 20, 2023 – The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission has successfully completed its third gravity-assisted flyby of Mercury, providing scientists with breathtaking images of the planet’s surface. The flyby, which occurred on June 19, 2023, allowed the spacecraft to capture images of newly named impact craters, as well as tectonic and volcanic features. These images will help scientists better understand the geological history of Mercury as the mission continues its journey towards entering the planet’s orbit in 2025.

The closest approach during the flyby took place at 19:34 UTC on June 19, approximately 236 km above Mercury’s surface, on the planet’s night side. “Everything went very smoothly with the flyby, and the images from the surveillance cameras taken during the approach phase of the flyby were transmitted to Earth,” said Ignacio Clerigo, operations manager for the BepiColombo spacecraft at ESA.

One of the highlights of the flyby was the discovery of a large impact crater, which has been named after Jamaican artist Edna Manley. The crater, located in the 218 km-wide summit ring, is of great interest to scientists as it contains carbon-rich remnants of Mercury’s early crust and evidence of volcanic activity. The BepiColombo mission will further explore the nature of the dark matter associated with the crater from orbit.

Another fascinating feature observed during the flyby is the Beagle Rupes, a series of cliffs that are a result of the planet’s cooling and contraction. These tectonic features provide valuable insights into Mercury’s tectonic history and will be studied in greater detail once the mission enters orbit.

As BepiColombo recedes from Mercury, it captured images of the spacecraft appearing to be squeezed between the planet’s antenna and an object. These “Farewell Mercury” images will be downloaded and analyzed to gain further insights into the planet’s magnetic, plasma, and particle environment.

The BepiColombo mission still has a long way to go before it enters Mercury’s orbit in 2025. The next Mercury flyby is scheduled for September 2024, and the mission will undergo a series of thrust arcs to continue braking against the Sun’s gravitational pull. These thrust arcs will be critical in ensuring the spacecraft’s accurate trajectory.

The BepiColombo mission, a joint effort between ESA and JAXA, aims to uncover the secrets of Mercury’s place in the evolution of the solar system. With its scientific instruments and imaging capabilities, the mission will explore various aspects of the planet, including its core, surface processes, magnetic fields, and exosphere.

For more information, please contact Media Relations for the European Space Agency at [email protected]

All MCAM images from the flyby will be publicly available in a single file at [link].ESA/JAXA BepiColombo Mission Captures Stunning Images During Mercury Flyby

June 20, 2023

The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission has successfully completed its third gravity-assisted flyby of Mercury, capturing breathtaking images of the planet’s surface. The flyby, which took place on June 19, 2023, allowed the spacecraft to adjust its course as it prepares to enter Mercury’s orbit in 2025.

During the closest approach, BepiColombo came within 236 km of Mercury’s surface on the planet’s night side. The surveillance cameras onboard the spacecraft captured images of newly named impact craters, as well as tectonic and volcanic features.

Ignacio Clerigo, the operations manager for the BepiColombo spacecraft at ESA, expressed satisfaction with the flyby, stating that everything went smoothly and the images were successfully transmitted to Earth.

The flyby also provided an opportunity to study geological curiosities on Mercury. Monitoring Camera 3 captured dozens of pictures of the rocky planet, revealing various geological features. One of the highlights was the discovery of a large impact crater, which has been named after Jamaican artist Edna Manley.

David Rothery, a member of the BepiColombo MCAM imaging team, explained the significance of the newly named crater. He stated that the excavation of dark matter within the crater could provide insights into Mercury’s early crust, while the presence of lava on the basin floor suggests a long history of volcanic activity.

Another notable feature observed during the flyby was the Beagle Rupes, a series of cliffs that are believed to have formed due to the planet’s cooling and contraction. Valentina Galluzzi of the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics described the area as an interesting region for studying Mercury’s tectonic history.

As BepiColombo moves away from Mercury, it appears to be squeezed between the spacecraft’s antenna and the planet. This unique perspective, captured in the “Farewell Mercury” images, provides a stunning view of the spacecraft’s departure.

In addition to capturing images, BepiColombo’s science instruments were also active during the flyby, collecting data on the magnetic, plasma, and particle environment around the spacecraft.

The successful flyby sets the stage for the next phase of the mission. BepiColombo’s next Mercury flyby is scheduled for September 2024, but before that, the spacecraft will undergo a series of thrust arcs to continue braking against the Sun’s gravity. These thrust arcs will be crucial in guiding BepiColombo into Mercury’s orbit.

The BepiColombo mission aims to uncover the secrets of Mercury’s place in the evolution of the solar system. By studying its highly cratered surface, unique tectonic features, and volcanic activity, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the planet’s geological history.

For more information, please contact Media Relations for the European Space Agency at [email protected]

All MCAM images from the flyby will be publicly available in the Archives of Planetary Science from Thursday, June 22, subject to availability. Follow @menciak on Twitter for more updates.

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What information can be gained from analyzing the “Farewell Mercury” images of the spacecraft in relation to the planet’s magnetic, plasma, and particle environment

Ts into Mercury’s early crust and volcanic activity.

The flyby also observed the Beagle Rupes, a series of cliffs formed by the planet’s cooling and contraction. These tectonic features offer valuable insights into Mercury’s tectonic history and will be further studied once the mission enters orbit.

As BepiColombo moved away from Mercury, it took images of the spacecraft seemingly squeezed between the planet’s antenna and an object. These “Farewell Mercury” images will be analyzed to gain a better understanding of the planet’s magnetic, plasma, and particle environment.

Despite the successful flyby, the BepiColombo mission still has a long way to go before entering Mercury’s orbit in 2025. The spacecraft will undergo thrust arcs to brake against the Sun’s gravitational pull, ensuring its accurate trajectory. The next Mercury flyby is scheduled for September 2024.

The BepiColombo mission, a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), aims to unravel Mercury’s secrets and its role in the evolution of the solar system. With its scientific instruments and imaging capabilities, the mission will explore various aspects of the planet, including its core, surface processes, magnetic fields, and exosphere.

All the images from the flyby will be publicly available for download on the ESA website.

For more information, contact Media Relations for the European Space Agency at [email protected]