Topics List
Oct. 20, 2018 Updated
MIO En Route to Mercury
BepiColombo mission successfully took off at 10:45:28 am, October 20, in Japan Time, 2018. From the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, the ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and JAXA's MIO, Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter were launched aboard the Ariane 5 rocket at 10:45:28 pm in local time, 2018.
|
|
---|
Oct. 19, 2018 Updated
BepiColombo Live Launch Coverage Starts at 10 AM Saturday, October 20
MPO, Mercury Planetary Orbiter, developed by the ESA, European Space Agency and MIO, JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter will launch onboard Ariane 5 rocket at 10:45:28 am, October 20 in Japan Time. (10:45:28 pm in local French Guiana Time) |
|
---|
Jun. 8, 2018 Updated
MIO, MMO' s New Name
JAXA selected MIO as new name for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) to be launched this Japanese fiscal year through March 2019. 6,494 responded to the two-month-long MMO renaming project. JAXA conveys gratitude for their participation. Starting this month, JAXA is giving the godparents a token of appreciation. Namesake and Background
Image: An artist rendering of MIO and Mercury |
|
---|
Mar. 26, 2018 Updated
Name the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) and send your message to Mercury onboard MMO!
We are looking for the right name for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)*, whose upcoming launch is in October 2018, that will give a
relatable and familiar nickname so that everyone can follow our journey to Mercury. The person who suggests the selected name will recieve a
certificate and souvenir!
|
|
---|
Jul. 6, 2017 Updated
MMO Development Progress
The Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) was shipped from the JAXA Sagamihara Campus in mid-April 2015 and safely arrived at its destination, the European Space Agency (ESA).
|
|
---|
May 12, 2015 Updated
Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter arrived at European Space Research and Technology Center
The Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO), which left the Sagamihara Campus in mid April, arrived at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands on April 16. The MMO will be tested there, then launched with the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) of the European Space Cagney (ESA) from the Guiana Space Center (in French Guiana) in JFY 2016. |
|
---|
Mar. 19, 2015 Updated
The Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO) was shown to the media
The Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO) was shown to the media on March 15. |
|
---|
Nov. 1, 2014 Updated
BepiColombo MMO system thermal vacuum test
The thermal vacuum test for the Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO) of the BepiColombo was performed for three weeks at JAXA Sagamihara Campus. The photos show the transportation of the MMO from a cleanroom to the thermal-vacuum chamber. For more details, pleas check the JAXA digital archives. |
|
---|
Jun. 23, 2014 Updated
BepiColombo baking operation
JAXA conducted the baking operation of multi-layer insulation for flight. The insulation is used for scientific mission instruments. We put the insulation on a special shelf in the baking chamber, and increased the temperature after reducing the inside pressure by turning on the vacuum pump. |
|
---|
Mar. 29, 2013 Updated
BepiColombo/MMO logo
BepiColombo/MMO logo mark was decided.
Neither alteration nor commercial use is allowed for both versions. |
Dec. 20, 2012 Updated
BepiColombo: Development progressing smoothly
JAXA is performing a manufacturing test of the bus and the scientific equipment for the Mercury Magnetosphereric Orbiter (MMO) flight model.
|
|
---|
Nov. 29, 2011 Updated
MMO flight model Electrical interface check (EIC)/Mechanical interface check (MIC)
Electrical interface check (EIC)/Mechanical interface check (MIC) for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) flight model is underway at the Flight Environment Test Building, Sagamihara Campus. |
|
---|
Mar. 10, 2011 Updated
Various thermal vacuum tests conducted using a thermal test model
In Mercury's orbit, solar light is almost 10 times stronger than in the Earth's orbit. Therefore, a Mercury probe is required to withstand such a harsh thermal environment. The BepiColombo project has been conducting the following thermal vacuum tests using its thermal test model since November 2009, and has acquired the necessary data for thermal design.
|
|
---|
Jun. 15, 2009 Updated
MMO Mechanical Model Vibration Test
Vibration test of MMO Mechanical Model is conducted in JAXA Sagamihara Campus Flight Environment Test Building. |
|
---|
May 25, 2009 Updated
MMO Mechanical Model Acoustic Test
Acoustic test of MMO Mechanical Model was conducted in JAXA Tsukuba Space Center. |
|
---|
May 20, 2009 Updated
MMO Mechanical Model assembly was finished
The assembly of MMO Mechanical Model in JAXA Sagamihara Campus Flight Environment Test Building was finished. The model was transported to JAXA Tsukuba Space Center for the acoustic test.
|
Dec. 6, 2004 Updated
Payload selection for two orbiters: MMO (JAXA) and MPO (ESA)
The scientific payloads aboard two BepiColombo orbiters were selected in November 2004. |
|
---|
Jul. 16, 2004 Updated
JAXA completes announcement of opportunity (AO)
JAXA completed solicitation of proposals on July 15, 2004, for scientific investigations of the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) of the BepiColombo, an ESA-JAXA joint mission to Mercury. JAXA has been asking for proposals since April 15 this year. Observation equipment proposed by Japanese and European research teams will be evaluated for selection during the "mission selection committee" held from August to September. The committee consists of six Japanese and three European reviewers. The Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), which the European Space Agency (ESA) is in charge of, is also under the same process of selection, and the official selection of both orbiters is scheduled to be announced in November 2004. That will then define the basic performance for development for both probes, the MMO and the MPO. |
|
---|
Apr. 16, 2004 Updated
Announcement of Opportunity (AO)
for Payloads of BepiColombo Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
JAXA solicits proposals of scientific investigations for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) of the BepiColombo, ESA-JAXA joint mission to Mercury. The Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for MMO has issued on 15 April 2004 (deadline: 15 July 2004). ESA has also issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO). |
|
---|