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BepiColombo spacecraft detaches from cruise module ahead of Mercury orbit

European and Japanese orbiters are on track to begin scientific observations of Mercury in 2027 following an eight-year journey.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 17:25 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • The European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency confirmed that their joint BepiColombo science probes detached from their transport module on Thursday.
  • The conjoined orbiters have traveled over 6 billion miles across eight years and must cover the final 2 million miles before entering orbit.
  • The spacecraft are scheduled to enter Mercury's orbit in November, split apart in December, and begin scientific observations in spring 2027.

Key facts

  • The European Space Agency's Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter successfully released from the Mercury Transfer Module.[Scientific American · Associated Press]
  • Flight controllers confirmed the separation via radio signals from ESA's control center in Germany after a two-hour transmission delay.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Launched in 2018, the mission has covered more than 6 billion miles (10 billion kilometers) across nine planetary flybys, with roughly 2 million miles remaining to reach Mercury.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • The spacecraft will enter orbit in November and separate from one another in December into distinct orbital altitudes.[Scientific American · Associated Press]
  • Full scientific operations are scheduled to start in spring 2027 to examine Mercury's surface geology, interior structure, magnetic field, and general relativity.[Scientific American · Associated Press]
  • The mission costs approximately $2 billion (€1.7 billion), primarily funded by the European Space Agency.[ABC News · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The success of upcoming critical maneuvers remains pending, including Mercury orbital insertion in November and the subsequent separation of the two orbiters in December.[Scientific American · Associated Press]

Sources