BepiColombo Launch & Cruise Phase Options

[bobik]

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.

[bobik]

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.

[bobik]

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 ..."

[bobik]

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?

[nogal]

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.

[Explorer1]

Here we go, a few days early!
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2...ology_annotated

[JTN]

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.)

[bobik]

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.

[bobik]

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.

[bobik]

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.

[bobik]

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.

[bobik]

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.

[nogal]

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

[nogal]

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

[Quetzalcoatl]

Bonsoir,

Link to the other images in this third flyby :

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Spa...d_Mercury_flyby