The BepiColombo Mission to Mercury

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Scientific paper

The main scientific objectives of BepiColombo are: (1) Formation and evolution of terrestrial planets in a close stellar environment, (2) Rotational state and interior structure, (3) Planetary magnetic field, (4) Morphology, geology, cratering and surface composition, (5) Volatile deposits in the polar regions, (6) Composition and dynamics of the exosphere, (7) Structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere, (8) Radioscience (gravitation and fundamental science, (9) Interplanetary medium at close heliocentric distances. The space segment possibly consists of three components: a Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), a Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), and a Mercury Surface Element (MSE). In one of several possible mission scenarios the interplanetary transfer is to be performed with gravity assist, and a Solar Electric Propulsion Module (SEPM) or Chemical Propulsion Module (CPM); the orbit insertion and landing are ensured with CPM. The MPO, MSE, SEPM, CPM, launch service segment, and cruise operations are provided by ESA, the MMO element being contributed by the Japanese Space Agency. Two competing industrial definition studies are being conducted from May 2001 to mid 2003, in order to prepare for the Implementation Phase to begin by early 2004. A single launch of the three scientific modules, MPO, MMO, and MSE with an Ariane 5 has been used as the initial baseline scenario. However, the budgetary constraints imposed to the ESA Scientific Programme at the November 2001 ESA Ministerial Conference may impose a re-direction to, for example, a split launch on two smaller Soyuz/Fregat rockets. In order to maintain the nominal goal of BepiColombo unchanged, including the MSE segment, within the changed funding scenario, alternative mission profiles are under study. The status of this evolving situation will be reviewed.

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