BepiColombo Launch & Cruise Phase |
BepiColombo Launch & Cruise Phase |
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#1
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![]() Merciless Robot ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 ![]() |
The adventure is about to begin! We'll discuss it here. Link to ESA coverage, launch currently slated for 20 Oct/0145 UTC.
GO BEPICOLOMBO!!! -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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#2
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![]() Merciless Robot ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 ![]() |
30 min until ESA feed goes live.
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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#3
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![]() IMG to PNG GOD ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 2251 Joined: 19-February 04 From: Near fire and ice Member No.: 38 ![]() |
A very interesting followup to the Messenger mission. It's past midnight where I live but I'm finding it impossible to go to sleep until I've seen the launch...
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#4
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![]() Merciless Robot ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 ![]() |
Should be a fascinating mission.
T- 30 min now, feed is live! ![]() -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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#5
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![]() Merciless Robot ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 ![]() |
GO!!!!!!!
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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#6
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![]() IMG to PNG GOD ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 2251 Joined: 19-February 04 From: Near fire and ice Member No.: 38 ![]() |
WOW!!!
So far so good. |
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#7
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![]() Merciless Robot ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 ![]() |
Spacecraft separation.
![]() Thread title edited to reflect the fact that they're on their way. -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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#8
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![]() IMG to PNG GOD ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Moderator Posts: 2251 Joined: 19-February 04 From: Near fire and ice Member No.: 38 ![]() |
It's alive!! Signal acquisition!
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#9
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Forum Contributor ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1372 Joined: 8-February 04 From: North East Florida, USA. Member No.: 11 ![]() |
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#10
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2090 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Ontario Member No.: 5221 ![]() |
Solar arrays deployed!
And a day later, first images from the engineering cameras! http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/20...mage_from_space |
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#11
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![]() Merciless Robot ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 ![]() |
Antenna deployment images.
Think we're likely to see some extraordinarily cool selfies at Mercury (and perhaps during the Earth and Venus flybys as well.) ![]() -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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#12
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 121 Joined: 26-June 04 From: Austria Member No.: 89 ![]() |
Only the engineering cameras will be active during the flybys...when the enter orbit around Mercury in 2025 - this will be the beginning of science with the optical instruments.
Does anyone know the specs of the camera/lenses used with the science cameras? |
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#13
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Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1074 Joined: 21-September 07 From: Québec, Canada Member No.: 3908 ![]() |
Only the engineering cameras will be active during the flybys...when the enter orbit around Mercury in 2025 - this will be the beginning of science with the optical instruments. Does anyone know the specs of the camera/lenses used with the science cameras? Some information here. |
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#14
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
BepiColombo continues to fare well. The magnetometer boom deployed correctly, as seen in this animated gif, and first measurements of the local magnetic field have been made.
Fernando |
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#15
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
The testing of BepiColombo's four electric propulsion thrusters went well, as reported by ESA here.
This was a critical procedure that had to be executed during a window when the spacecraft was continuously in full view of the ground antennas. The first thrust arc will begin in mid-December. The above mentioned article also contains a short movie of BepiColombo's seven year journey to Mercury, highlighting all the gravity assist planetary encounters. |
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#16
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
ESA announced that BepiColombo has initiated its first thrust arc, which will last 2 months.
The ion thrusters' maximum planed thrust for the entire journey is 250 mN, equivalent to the pull of 250 ants (!) ![]() Fernando |
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#17
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 184 Joined: 2-March 06 Member No.: 692 ![]() |
Great news. And a cool selfie.
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#18
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
BepiColombo continues to work well. Here is an excerpt from the latest ESA release:
QUOTE Following a series of tests conducted in space over the past five months, the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission has successfully completed its near-Earth commissioning phase and is now ready for the operations that will take place during the cruise and, eventually, for its scientific investigations at Mercury. And the release: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Sc...its_long_cruise Fernando |
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#19
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Forum Contributor ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1372 Joined: 8-February 04 From: North East Florida, USA. Member No.: 11 ![]() |
BepiColombo continues to work well. Here is an excerpt from the latest ESA release: And the release: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Sc...its_long_cruise Fernando They mentioned some ongoing issues, but did not say what they were. |
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#20
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
First Light of PHEBUS on BepiColombo MPO.
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#21
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
On June 17 BepiColombo used its on-board monitoring cameras to take some selfies.Here is the ESA release link
The release includes a link to a cool tool: BepiColombo Attitude Viewer I find it requires a screen larger than that of a mobile phone. Fernando |
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#22
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
An interesting ESA article with some details about Bepi Colombo's thermal environment and challenges:
"How we heat-proofed ESA's Mercury mission" Fernando |
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#23
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
There is apparently a public dashboard of the BepiColombo Quick-Look Analysis (QLA) web interface showing, among others, ground stations pass information. If they would complement it with more functionality and at least some generic spacecraft and instrument data, e.g. power consumption, temperature readings, telemetry events, data volumes, etc., this could become a quite innovative outreach tool and fascinating way to follow the BepiColombo expedition.
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#24
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
Despite the restrictions due to the current coronavirus crisis, ESA is preparing for the April 10's BepiColombo Earth flyby.
Celestial mechanics is, of course, immune to the virus ![]() Here is an ESA article on this subject: http://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...onavirus_crisis Fernando |
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#25
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2090 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Ontario Member No.: 5221 ![]() |
Some very impressive images came down showing Earth's rotation as it approaches, as seen on social media. The MTM external cameras were a good idea!
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#26
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Forum Contributor ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1372 Joined: 8-February 04 From: North East Florida, USA. Member No.: 11 ![]() |
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#27
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
Esa has released a short image sequence taken by the camera on the Japanese module.
Fernando "BepiColombo's last close-up of Earth during flyby" http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2...th_during_flyby |
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#28
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 316 Joined: 1-October 06 Member No.: 1206 ![]() |
Wow! Love this sort of 'through the rigging' stuff.
Resolution is unimportant, its the perspective that is special. Its like a better version of Rosetta's Mars flyby. P |
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#29
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Junior Member ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 24 Joined: 11-February 07 From: College Station, TX Member No.: 1709 ![]() |
Here is a video from the Kryoneri Observatory in Greece, showing BepiColombo during the flyby. Wow!
You don’t need a Facebook account to see it: https://www.facebook.com/athensobservatory/...56196052386495/ |
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#30
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
BepiColopmbo: The Earth Flyby collection, by ESA: http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2...Colombo_s_flyby Fernando |
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#31
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Junior Member ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 48 Joined: 9-August 19 Member No.: 8644 ![]() |
Here's another view of Earth and Moon from BepiColombo earlier during the mission (cam_raw_sc_cam3_image_20200304t233732_13_f__t0080 to cam_raw_sc_cam3_image_20200305t233453_28_f__t0100)
https://archives.esac.esa.int/psa/
Attached File(s)
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#32
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 29-December 05 From: Ottawa, ON Member No.: 624 ![]() |
BepiColombo flew by Venus today and snapped this black and white shot with its instrumentation in the foreground.
https://sci.esa.int/web/bepicolombo/-/bepic...-close-approach |
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#33
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 436 Joined: 14-December 15 Member No.: 7860 ![]() |
And flyby video , (and here )
Can anyone help me understand what this movement is (in the visible part of the probe - the Mercury Planetary Orbiter’s magnetometer boom)? Photo artifact? A play of light? below gif's - fragments cut from the "video": |
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#34
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2530 Joined: 20-April 05 Member No.: 321 ![]() |
My hypothesis would be that a small part of the spacecraft is blacked out in the darkness of shadow cast by another part of the spacecraft in some frames, and seems to "appear" when it is not in shadow.
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#35
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Newbie ![]() Group: Members Posts: 11 Joined: 30-May 08 Member No.: 4166 ![]() |
Or maybe a specular reflection of venus from a flat, shiny surface that's normally reflecting black? I don't really see any shadows moving near that part.
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#36
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 866 Joined: 15-March 05 From: Santa Cruz, CA Member No.: 196 ![]() |
Similar to the Earth flyby sequence you can see a very thin line light up that part part of the magnetometer boom when lighting is right.
Can be seen much better in this model through camera #2. |
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#37
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 436 Joined: 14-December 15 Member No.: 7860 ![]() |
Thanks for the suggestions and insights!
Here I found photos of the magnetometer boom (in the laboratory) with the sensor in question (there are actually two such sensors) - unfortunately without the Thermal Shielding. This rectangular (in the shape of a cube or cuboid) Thermal Shielding is visible in these drawings and probably in this photo. I'm not sure, but maybe it is made of some translucent material (?) Anyway, since no shadows are actually moving in the Venus flyby video, it seems likely to me that the two flashes seen in the video were caused by the reflection of the Venus disc from two consecutive parallel faces of this Thermal Shielding... |
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#38
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2090 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Ontario Member No.: 5221 ![]() |
A nice summary of Venus flyby 2's early results (along with near-simultaneous Solar Orbiter data)
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...f_a_Venus_flyby |
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#39
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1443 Joined: 26-July 08 Member No.: 4270 ![]() |
Just dropping by to give this thread a little nudge ahead of the upcoming first flyby of Mercury this week on 23:34 UTC, 1 October (01:34 CEST, 2 October). Perhaps I'm not the only one for whom this flyby has kinda crept up on under the radar.
Mercury ahead! https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...ercury_ahead%21 QUOTE During the flybys it is not possible to take high-resolution imagery with the main science camera because it is shielded by the transfer module while the spacecraft is in cruise configuration. However, two of BepiColombo’s three monitoring cameras (MCAMs) will be taking photos from about five minutes after the time of close approach and up to four hours later. Because BepiColombo is arriving on the planet’s nightside, conditions are not ideal to take images directly at the closest approach, thus the closest image will be captured from a distance of about 1000 km. QUOTE The first image to be downlinked will be from about 30 minutes after closest approach, and is expected to be available for public release at around 08:00 CEST on Saturday morning. The close approach and subsequent images will be downlinked one by one during Saturday morning. QUOTE Even though BepiColombo is in ‘stacked’ cruise configuration for the flybys, it will be possible to operate some of the science instruments on both planetary orbiters, allowing a first taste of the planet’s magnetic, plasma and particle environment.
-------------------- -- Hungry4info (Sirius_Alpha)
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#40
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 127 Joined: 15-April 21 Member No.: 9009 ![]() |
Just dropping by to give this thread a little nudge ahead of the upcoming first flyby of Mercury this week on 23:34 UTC, 1 October (01:34 CEST, 2 October). Perhaps I'm not the only one for whom this flyby has kinda crept up on under the radar. Mercury ahead! https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...ercury_ahead%21 yeah... i didn't know about it today, until Antdoghalo said something on one of my servers on discord about it it certainly did creep up under the radar for me too |
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#41
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2530 Joined: 20-April 05 Member No.: 321 ![]() |
We have over four years to get ready for BC's actual science operations; this is a useful reminder of what it is that we have to look forward to.
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006epsc.......81L/abstract At global resolution, Messenger has given us a complete map of Mercury that leaves little to improve upon. However, BepiColombo will nonetheless perform a great deal of original science. |
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#42
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1443 Joined: 26-July 08 Member No.: 4270 ![]() |
-------------------- -- Hungry4info (Sirius_Alpha)
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#43
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 127 Joined: 15-April 21 Member No.: 9009 ![]() |
why is only a chunk of mercury seen in each frame and not the whole planet? |
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#44
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2530 Joined: 20-April 05 Member No.: 321 ![]() |
The answer to that is in post #39.
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#45
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 701 Joined: 1-April 08 From: Minnesota ! Member No.: 4081 ![]() |
The complete article from today referenced earlier by Hungry4info can be found here https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...iews_of_Mercury
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#46
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 754 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 1700 ![]() |
Astounding how precisely successful this maneuver appears! Question: how close did the actual flyby match the calculations in terms of effect on the spacecraft's speed and course? Or was there a ballpark/range predicted based on how precisely we know Mercury's mass and orbit?
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#47
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Solar System Cartographer ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 10192 Joined: 5-April 05 From: Canada Member No.: 227 ![]() |
JRehling: "At global resolution, Messenger has given us a complete map of Mercury that leaves little to improve upon. However, BepiColombo will nonetheless perform a great deal of original science"
Messenger certainly gave excellent results, but there is much that can be improved on. Messenger had an orbit which gave low passes over the north pole and high passes over the south, so imaging and all datasets were better in the north than in the south. As an example, the laser altimeter was unable to collect data over much of the southern hemisphere, so the global topo map is less accurate in the south where only stereoscopic imaging is available (stereo gives great detail but it needs altimetry to determine the location in space of the stereo model). BepiColombo will improve on many of Messenger;s datasets in the south. And the high resolution imager will greatly extend the limited high resolution mapping by Messenger. Phil -------------------- ... because the Solar System ain't gonna map itself.
Also to be found posting similar content on https://mastodon.social/@PhilStooke Maps for download (free PD: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...Cartography.pdf NOTE: everything created by me which I post on UMSF is considered to be in the public domain (NOT CC, public domain) |
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#48
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
JAXA's flyby webcast and ESA Operations tweets reminded me how cool it would have been if we had got, among others, real-time temperature readings through ESA's BepiColombo Quick-Look Analysis web interface during the flyby, but alas!
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#49
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 127 Joined: 15-April 21 Member No.: 9009 ![]() |
JRehling: "At global resolution, Messenger has given us a complete map of Mercury that leaves little to improve upon. However, BepiColombo will nonetheless perform a great deal of original science" Messenger certainly gave excellent results, but there is much that can be improved on. Messenger had an orbit which gave low passes over the north pole and high passes over the south, so imaging and all datasets were better in the north than in the south. As an example, the laser altimeter was unable to collect data over much of the southern hemisphere, so the global topo map is less accurate in the south where only stereoscopic imaging is available (stereo gives great detail but it needs altimetry to determine the location in space of the stereo model). BepiColombo will improve on many of Messenger;s datasets in the south. And the high resolution imager will greatly extend the limited high resolution mapping by Messenger. Phil did any of the images from the flyby image the south at all? |
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#50
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2530 Joined: 20-April 05 Member No.: 321 ![]() |
did any of the images from the flyby image the south at all? Not better than this: https://astrogeology.usgs.gov/search/map/Me...aic_Global_166m |
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#51
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2090 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Ontario Member No.: 5221 ![]() |
Video including some more distant departure views (overexposed, but still neat!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdOLeGeqAEI |
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#52
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
It seems BepiColombo experienced a Safe Mode event sometimes during Christmas holidays between 23.12.2021 and 05.01.2022 (no pass was scheduled during this period). So far all we know is that a "Safe Mode recovery extra pass" was requested on 05.01 and carried out on 07.01.2022.
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#53
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2090 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Ontario Member No.: 5221 ![]() |
Nothing new on their social media, either. Must have been very minor.
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#54
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
Nothing new on their social media... Not too surprising, ESA so far has shown no intention to provide the general public with timely updates on BepiColombo spacecraft operations and status, besides PR coverage of flybys. Having said that, in this article summing up the first 2.5 years (until May 2021) of flight operations we learn that up to this point, BepiColombo experienced only three unplanned safe modes, all in the first few months of the expedition, so at least in this regard a safe mode would be a notable event. ![]() |
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#55
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
BepiColombo is going to enter superior solar conjunction (SSC), and so starts the second observation session for the BepiColombo Solar Conjunction Experiment (SCE) to test General Relativity (GR).
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#56
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
A strange dark streak with greyish "halo" appeared on BepiColombo's High-Gain Antenna (HGA).
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#57
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
A strange dark streak with greyish "halo" ... This is an interesting information. Can you please check what is causing the error "https://archives.esac.esa.int/psa/APP/connector/0/4291/url/cam_raw_sc_cam3_browse_20210809t223002_61_f__t0005.jpeg" cannot be displayed because it contains errors." in all but the third link? Thanks. Fernando |
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#58
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
... cannot be displayed because it contains errors. OK, that's funny?!?! ![]() |
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#59
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 234 Joined: 14-January 22 Member No.: 9140 ![]() |
Perhaps a coincidence, but the streak has a similar size and shape (but not location) to the shadow that some of the antenna gear is casting in some of those photos.
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#60
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
Thanks for the tip.
I found it best to set the number of images per page to a high number(500?) and search for just this part of the image label "20210809t223002_61_f__t0005". Fernando |
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#61
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
I found it best to set the number of images per page to a high number ... Yes indeed, the PSA search-filter (in the upper right corner) works only for the loaded "Items/page" (dropdown button in the bottom right corner) and the product identifiers have an "_image_" where the linked preview image identifiers have a "_browse_", thus only the second part of the identifier should be used. |
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#62
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
On 2022-03-02 an extended photo session was undertaken, apparently to investigate the dark streak on the HGA. Hopefully, this streak will have no adverse effect on the thermal behavior of the HGA and consequently data rate and throughput during Mercury orbit phase. As far as I know, as expected, ESA has not commented on this issue so far.
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#63
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
Interesting presentation (among many others) about the upcoming second Mercury Flyby (MSB2) at the current Mercury 2022 conference in Orléans.
By the way, although the spacecraft is said to be in good condition it has surfaced that one of two Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) has thermal problems due to a malfunctioning heat pipe: "at the moment the problem is under control ... some investigation why the heat pipe is blocked and how to get it free ... a bit optimistic ..." |
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#64
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
Quite extraordinary, even though only a very brief glimpse into the monthly operations of the BepiColombo spacecraft (with some info about the IMU issue, btw). I don't understand what's behind this website, is it broken, experimental or a mistake!? Anyway, this is exactly how it should be done; brief, regular, informative updates on spacecraft status and operations! Is that really too much to ask for?
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#65
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
BepiColombo's second (of six) Mercury flybys to occur on June 23 on 9:44 UT.
The closest distance will be 200km, with some science data being recoded and images captured by the "selfie-cameras". Images are planned to be available on June 27. Flyby description with all the above information, flyby animation, and more is available in the ESA article: BepiColombo lines up for second Mercury flyby Fernando EDIT: Fixed a problem with the link. My thanks to MahFL for pointing it out to me. |
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#66
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2090 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Ontario Member No.: 5221 ![]() |
Here we go, a few days early!
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2...ology_annotated |
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#67
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 200 Joined: 20-November 05 From: Mare Desiderii Member No.: 563 ![]() |
A few more pictures in the report Second helpings of Mercury. "All MCAM images will be publicly available in the Planetary Science Archive next week."
(In the released MCAM3 image, the HGA is turned away as usual, so we can't see how filthy it's gotten. I assume still no public news about that.) |
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#68
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
According to information in ESA's fantastic, but criminally underused for public outreach BepiColombo Quick-Look Analysis (QLA) tool, the third Solar Conjunction Experiment (SCE#3) (apparently) ends today.
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#69
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
New sequence of images of the front side of the HGA taken on 2022-09-05. It's almost the perfect retake of the sequence taken on 2022-03-02. No obvious changes are visible in comparison to earlier images. The dark streak shows intriguing fine features of genuine bright dots and lines. I am wondering if the dark streak is the product of a one-time event, like a micrometeoroid impact.
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#70
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
Today ends Payload Checkout #8. Next follows Platform Checkout #8, CSW 3.3.5 (Central Software) update, and SEPS#14 (Solar Electric Propulsion Subsystem) thrusting maneuver throughout December.
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#71
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
ESTRACKnow data indicates some unspecified problems with BepiColombo starting with 5 December. On 8 December, today's planned DDOR pass was replaced by a TTC pass and for tomorrow (14 December) a so-called "BEPI SM* recovery" was scheduled, according to information available through the BepiColombo Quick-Look Analysis (QLA) tool. ESTRACKnow statistics also suggest unscheduled communication passes on 9 and 10 December. EDIT: Whatever the current status of BepiColombo, it seemingly does not interfere with the operation of the monitoring cameras.
* BTW, SM probably means Safe Mode. |
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#72
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
According to public available information at the first day of Platform Checkout#9, because of unknown reasons, no contact could be established with BepiColombo on 2023-05-15. On the following days it seems all worked according to plan again.
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#73
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
BepiColombo is making it's next flyby of Mercury on Monday, June 19th.
According to ESA, several images will be taken by the monitoring cameras, with a first release of the images on June 20th. Here is the link to the full article: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...d_Mercury_flyby Fernando |
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#74
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
Here is the first image (from yesterday, June 19) still inbound and 121000 Km away:
![]() The horizontal stripe is an artifact. More images are promised for later today. Fernando |
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#75
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 104 Joined: 3-February 20 From: Paris (France) Member No.: 8747 ![]() |
Bonsoir, Link to the other images in this third flyby : https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...d_Mercury_flyby |
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#76
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
The 5th Solar Conjunction Experiment (SCE#5) begins today, for which solely Estrack's specially equipped Malargüe station will be used for the next 14 days.
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#77
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 918 Joined: 15-June 09 From: Lisbon, Portugal Member No.: 4824 ![]() |
And here is a flyby movie which also includes a reconstructed 3D view of a special interest area.
Link Fernando |
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#78
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
Pre-3rd-flyby presentation about the Shape-from-Shading (SFS) technique in the context of BepiColombo and the scientific utilization of the MCAM images in general.
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#79
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
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#80
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
During the end of January the front side of the HGA once again came into view of MCAM3. No major changes are apparent. I wonder when official thoughts on anomaly BC_SC-186 will transpire.
One frame per day, 21-01-2024 to 01-02-2024 |
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#81
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
According to the public dashboard of the BepiColombo Quick-Look Analysis (QLA) tool, a Safe Mode Recovery pass was requested on 2024-04-04, the second day of Platform Checkout #11, and performed on 2024-04-07, respectively. Two additional Safe Mode Recovery passes are scheduled for 2024-04-19 and 2024-04-20. I can't wait for SpaceOps2025 to get some information what is going on...!
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#82
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![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1443 Joined: 26-July 08 Member No.: 4270 ![]() |
Glitch on BepiColombo: work ongoing to restore spacecraft to full thrust
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operat..._to_full_thrust QUOTE The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury has experienced a technical issue that is preventing its thrusters from operating at full power. Top spaceflight experts from ESA and its partners are working the problem, but the long-term impact on the mission is uncertain. QUOTE on 26 April, as BepiColombo was scheduled to begin its next manoeuvre, the Transfer Module failed to deliver enough electrical power to the spacecraft’s thrusters.
A combined team from ESA and the mission’s industrial partners set to work the moment the issue was identified. By 7 May, they had restored BepiColombo’s thrust to approximately 90% of its previous level. However, the Transfer Module’s available power is still lower than it should be, and so full thrust cannot yet be restored. -------------------- -- Hungry4info (Sirius_Alpha)
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#83
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
A brief update on the BepiColombo problems. Solar electric propulsion continues until the end of June, according to a revised program, and another "topping-up" thrust phase was added for July. There is no new information on the technical cause of the anomaly, besides that "[t]he team is currently verifying the entire power generation and distribution chain on [the MTM]".
By the way, recently, a plethora of pass requests for the end of June appeared on the BepiColombo Quick-Look Analysis tool. |
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#84
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 242 Joined: 28-October 12 Member No.: 6732 ![]() |
Is this part of a power conservation effort? The SIXS and BERM instruments are reportedly switched off and regular MCAM images have ceased on the 2nd of May.
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