Rocket Lab launched a payload for an undisclosed commercial customer Nov.

Chief of Space Operations Gen.

The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission has been cruising towards Mercury since October 2018. With just one year to go until it arrives at its destination, what has the mission achieved so far? And what can we expect from its two spacecraft after they enter orbit around the Solar System’s smallest and least-explored rocky planet? 

Bepi, Mio and MTM’s adventures continue! What have they achieved on their extraordinary journey to Mercury, planet of extremes and mysteries?

They haven’t been bored, that’s for sure. They snapped cool photos and collected real science data as they flew past Earth, Venus and Mercury – each planet is unique! After witnessing Venus’s blinding heat, flying through Mercury’s freezing shadow, and braving strong winds and radiation coming from the Sun, the trio know they are ready for anything.

In November 2026, the spacecraft will arrive at Mercury to stay. Bepi and Mio will orbit around the little planet to

The European Space Agency's Ministerial Council – more formally Council at Ministerial level – takes place in Bremen, Germany on 26 and 27 November 2025.