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\t\t\t\t\t\t27\/08\/2026<\/span> After eight years,\u00a0the ESA\/JAXA\u00a0BepiColombo\u00a0mission\u00a0is about to enter its\u00a0Mercury Arrival Phase.\u00a0On 3 September 2026, ESA\u2019s Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) will separate from BepiColombo\u2019s two science orbiters \u2013 the first major step in one of the most operationally challenging planetary arrival sequences ever attempted by ESA.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The European Space Agency (ESA)\u00a0will\u00a0livestream\u00a0the critical milestone\u00a0from\u00a013:45 CEST.\u00a0Tune in and\u00a0witness\u00a0the first step\u00a0of one of the most complex phases of the mission, live from ESA\u00a0mission control.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Join ESA’s livestream on YouTube\u00a0here!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The ESA\/JAXA\u00a0BepiColombo\u00a0mission is ready for the first critical step towards arriving at its final destination, the mysterious planet Mercury. After eight years of\u00a0travelling\u00a0together as one stacked spacecraft, ESA\u2019s Mercury Transfer Module (MTM),\u00a0which has powered BepiColombo\u2019s interplanetary journey,\u00a0will separate from BepiColombo\u2019s two science orbiters on 3 September 2026.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n But separation is only the\u00a0beginning.\u00a0<\/p>\n Getting to Mercury is hard. Arriving there is even harder. BepiColombo’s arrival is one of the most demanding operational sequences ever carried out by ESA. MTM’s separation on 3 September is just the first step. After MTM has separated,\u00a0in November\u00a0ESA’s\u00a0Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (Mio) will enter orbit around Mercury together, before separating from each other in December 2026.\u00a0Science operations will begin in April 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The programme will be broadcast live from ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, and will feature live views from the iconic Main Control Room as the Mission Control Team carries out the separation operations.\u00a0Our co-hosts\u00a0will share\u00a0special mission moments.\u00a0ESA and JAXA experts\u00a0will provide behind-the-scenes insights and\u00a0expert analysis. \u00a0<\/p>\n Then comes the wait. Following separation, teams on Earth will listen for BepiColombo\u2019s\u00a0post separation acquisition of signal\u00a0and carry out the first checks to confirm the spacecraft is healthy and that the operation has gone to plan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n All times in CEST and subject to change at short notice.\u00a0Tune in to follow live:\u00a0ESA on YouTube; ESA on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n 13:45\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Start of ESA\u00a0livestream\u00a0programme,\u00a0streaming\u00a0from ESA\u2019s European Space Operations Centre\u00a0(ESOC)\u00a0in Darmstadt, Germany\u00a0<\/p>\n 14:00\u00a0\u2013\u00a0MTM separation\u00a0<\/p>\n 14:30\u00a0\u2013 One-hour break in\u00a0livestream\u00a0<\/p>\n 15:30\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Livestream\u00a0resumes\u00a0<\/p>\n 15:53\u00a0\u2013 Earliest\u00a0expected acquisition of signal after separation, followed by a spacecraft status check\u00a0<\/p>\n 16:15-16:45\u00a0\u2013 End of ESA\u00a0livestream\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Join the conversation with #BepiColombo and ask questions via #AskESA.\u00a0During the livestream, you can also ask questions in the live chat.<\/p>\n BlueSky:\u00a0ESA,\u00a0ESA Operations,\u00a0ESA Space Science\u00a0<\/p>\n LinkedIn:\u00a0European Space Agency – ESA,\u00a0ESA Operations,\u00a0ESA Space Science<\/p>\n Instagram:\u00a0Europeanspaceagency\u00a0<\/p>\n Facebook:\u00a0EuropeanSpaceAgency\u00a0<\/p>\n YouTube:\u00a0ESA\u00a0<\/p>\n X:\u00a0European Space Agency,\u00a0ESA Operations,\u00a0ESA Science<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Launched on 20 October 2018,\u00a0BepiColombo\u00a0is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), operated under ESA leadership. It is both Europe and Japan’s first mission to Mercury, the first two-spacecraft mission to Mercury, and only the second mission to ever enter orbit about the\u00a0rocky world.<\/p>\n The mission\u00a0comprises\u00a0two scientific orbiters: ESA\u2019s\u00a0Mercury Planetary Orbiter\u00a0(MPO) and JAXA\u2019s\u00a0Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter\u00a0(Mio). The European\u00a0Mercury Transfer Module\u00a0(MTM) has been carrying the orbiters to Mercury. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n During arrival at Mercury in late 2026, the spacecraft will separate\u00a0in Mio\u2019s\u00a0polar\u00a0science orbit. MPO will then\u00a0manoeuvre to\u00a0itsdedicated polar orbit\u00a0around the planet. Science operations for both orbiters will begin in April 2027. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow the latest mission news via\u00a0esa.int\/bepicolombo.\u00a0<\/p>\n Find out more about\u00a0Space Science at ESA,\u00a0the Agency’s\u00a0Science Programme\u00a0and how\u00a0ESA Operations\u00a0makes\u00a0missions like\u00a0BepiColombo\u00a0possible. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \nFor more information, please contact:<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWatch live from 13:45 CEST on 3 September <\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nAbout BepiColombo <\/h2>\n
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