ESA Science & Technology - BepiColombo in low Earth orbit

Please note this image was updated in April 2018.

Artist's impression of the BepiColombo spacecraft attached to the upper stage and payload launch adapter (left) following launch. In this view, the Mercury Transfer Module is at the left, on top of the launch adapter, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter is in the middle, and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter is seen inside the sunshield visible at far right. The solar wings of the spacecraft open at a later stage.

BepiColombo is a joint endeavour between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA.