ESA Moves BepiColombo Plane To New Tracks To Arrive In Mercury In 2026

BepiColombo aircraft will change track (photo: dock. ESA)

JAKARTA The European Space Agency (ESA) is trying to overcome the problems that caused the BepiColombo booster, the plane that observed Mercury, to be unable to operate at full power since last April.

After conducting an investigation for several months, the tela technicians found out the source of the problem. They have also found a solution that can take BepiColombo to a new track so that the spacecraft can arrive in Mercury.

Based on the observations of technicians, there is an unexpected electrical current between the Mercury Transfer Model (MTM) solar panels and units designed to integrate power. With the advent of this electric current, the power for electric propulsion has decreased.

The ESA Dynamics Team has found a solution to overcome this very low thrust. ESA explained that they will use a new track so that they can maintain BepiColombo's mission with low thrust.

"We have concluded that the MTM electric booster will continue to operate under the minimum thrust required to enter orbit around Mercury in December 2025," said BepiColombo Mission Manager ESA Santa Martinez.

Technicians will change the speed and direction of the aircraft on Mercury's fourth, fifth, flight in December this year, and sixth in January next year. This plan is carried out so that Bepi Colombo is in line with Mercury's orbit around the Sun.

Before changing the speed and direction of the plane, MTM will turn on its boosters from September to October this year. From the cross-flight that Bepi Colombo will do, the sixth flight will be at its peak as this aircraft will turn into a new trajectory.

By turning to a new track, ESA estimates that this aircraft could arrive at Mercury in November 2026. If the flights are successful, ESA and the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA) will collaborate in exploring Mercury.