The European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's joint BepiColombo mission entered its final phase on September 3rd when the Mercury Transfer Module separated from the main spacecraft after eight years in the inner Solar System. The separation marked the start of what the ESA described as one of the most complex planetary arrival sequences ever attempted by the agency. The event was broadcast live from the ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
The livestream, which began at 1345 Central European Summer Time, included live feeds from the facility's Main Control Room alongside expert analysis and first signals from the spacecraft following separation. The broadcast concluded at 1645 CEST.
BepiColombo comprises two scientific orbiters designed to study different aspects of Mercury's environment and geology. The mission is expected to reach Mercury orbit in the coming months.
