ESA · Space

ESA Competition to Celebrate BepiColombo's Mercury Arrival

The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission is nearing its arrival at Mercury after an eight-year journey. To celebrate this milestone, ESA is hosting a competition.

BepiColombo, comprising the MPO and Mio orbiters, has completed a complex eight-year journey with nine planetary flybys and is now in its Mercury arrival phase.

The mission involves critical maneuvers: MTM released orbiters on Sept 3. Orbiters will be captured by Mercury's gravity on Nov 21. Separation occurs Dec 9-10, 2026, with Mio entering its science orbit. MPO reaches its final orbit March 19, 2027.

A competition invites participants to create a welcoming art message for Bepi and Mio, submitted as a photo or video. Entries are due by October 25, 2026.

To enter, share your creation on social media with #WelcomeToMercury and explain your connection to the mission. Submit the public post's URL via an entry form.

The grand prize is a trip to an ESA event in Darmstadt, Germany, on Dec 9, 2026, to witness the spacecraft separation. Travel and accommodation up to €1000 will be reimbursed post-event.

The competition is open to residents of ESA Member, Cooperating, and Associate States, aged 18+. One entry per person. Runners-up receive ESA goodies.

Space activities are dynamic; timings may change. Flexible travel is recommended as ESA is not liable for refunds due to schedule changes. Event details will be provided later.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.