08 JUN. 2017
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The science objectives of the BepiColombo mission cover all aspects of the planet and its environment. Broadly speaking, this will be achieved by studying the following themes:
The origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star
The planet’s interior structure and composition
Characteristics and origin of its internal magnetic field
Surface processes, such as cratering, tectonics, polar deposits and volcanism
The structure, composition, origin and dynamics of Mercury's exosphere
The structure and dynamics of Mercury's magnetosphere
Einstein's Theory of General Relativity (by making precise measurements of the spacecraft’s orbit and position)
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BepiColombo science themes
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BepiColombo overview
BepiColombo factsheet
Name: BepiColomboSpacecraft: Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO or Mio), and the Mercury Transport Module (MTM)Mission: To investigate Mercury, the innermost and least explored planet in the inner Solar System.
Top five Mercury mysteries that BepiColombo will solve
Mercury is a desert world which scientists until recently considered quite uninteresting. NASA’s Mariner and Messenger missions, however, revealed that there is much more to the smallest and innermost planet of the Solar System than meets the eye. Despite temperatures on its surface rising up to 450°C, there seems to be water ice on Mercury. The planet also appears to have a way too large inner core for its size and a surprising chemical composition. Here are the top five Mercury mysteries that the European-Japanese BepiColombo mission might solve.
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