After 8 Years in Space, BepiColombo Begins Mercury Orbit Insertion

On September 3, ground control confirmed the propulsion module separated from BepiColombo, marking the final phase of the ESA–JAXA mission. The probe has traveled about 9.9 billion km using nine gravity assists; science observations are set to begin in April 2027.

• Probe has traveled roughly 9.9 billion km over 8 years
• Nine gravity assists: one at Earth, two at Venus, six at Mercury
• Mission will split into MPO and Mio orbiters
• Science observations scheduled to start in April 2027