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| LAUNCH DATE: |
2014
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| MISSION END: | Nominally 1 year in Mercury orbit after arriving in 2020 |
| LAUNCH VEHICLE: | Soyuz 2-1B/Fregat-M |
| LAUNCH MASS: | 2300 kg |
| MISSION PHASE: |
Definition |
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| Cruise: | Heliocentric transfer orbit | | At Mercury: | MPO polar orbit 400 × 1500 km, 2.3 hr period
MMO polar orbit 400 × 12 000 km, 9.2 hr period |
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- Origin and evolution of a planet close to the parent star
- Mercury as a planet: form, interior, structure, geology, composition and craters
- Mercury's vestigial atmosphere (exosphere): composition and dynamics
- Mercury's magnetized envelope (magnetosphere): structure and dynamics
- Origin of Mercury's magnetic field
- Polar deposits: composition and origin
- Test of Einstein's theory of general relativity
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BepiColombo will set off in 2014 on a journey lasting approximately 6 years. When it arrives at Mercury in mid 2020, it will endure temperatures as high as 350 °C and gather data during its 1 year nominal mission, with a possible 1-year extension. |
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