Belgian scientists unlock Mercury's secrets as BepiColombo nears orbit

The European Space Agency's BepiColombo mission is performing a critical separation maneuver on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as it prepares to enter orbit around Mercury, the solar system's least explored planet. This high-risk step marks the beginning of the spacecraft's arrival phase after an eight-year journey. The two probes, MPO and Mio, will detach from their transfer module, which has been essential for propulsion. Mercury is extremely difficult to reach due to its proximity to the Sun, exposing spacecraft to extreme temperatures between -180°C and +450°C. Scientists hope to answer questions about the planet's formation, magnetic field, and mysterious surface features. Belgian planetologist Bernard Charlier expects to spend at least a decade analyzing data from the mission. The research aims to understand Mercury's unique characteristics, including its large metallic core and dense composition, which could provide insights into Earth's early evolution. First scientific data is expected by spring 2027.