Artist impression of the cruise configuration for the BepiColombo spacecraft. The Mercury Transfer Module is at the bottom, with the ion engines on and twin solar panels extended. The middle section is the MPO orbiter and the MIO orbiter is tucked inside the sunshield (credit: ESA/ATG medialab)

BepiColombo is set for science, as the spacecraft performs a Venus swing-by

MIO, MPO and MTM that form BepiColombo wish us all the very best as they fly-by the Earth (credit: ESA).

Ready for swing-by! BepiColombo will pass close to the Earth on April 10

Image credit: ESA

Save the date! Q&A ahead of the launch of BepiColombo to Mercury in October

Artist impression of the two probes of BepiColombo orbiting Mercury. ESA's MPO probe will circle close to the planet, while JAXA's MMO will take an elliptical orbit to explore the magnetic field. (Credit: JAXA/ESA)

Facing the furnace: BepiColombo is getting ready to depart for Mercury