BepiColombo: Mission to Mercury
MPO[ESA]MMO[JAXA]First full-scale
Euro-Japan joint mission
Two orbiters (MPO & MMO) will observe Mercury
simultaneously with instruments developed byEuro-Japan joint research teams.
MMO （Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter）
is a spin-stabilized spacecraft. The MMO will study
magnetic field, atmosphere, magnetosphere, and innerinterplanetary space. Comparison of magnetic field &Magnetosphere with Earth will provide the new vision
for space physics.

MPO （Mercury Planetary Orbiter)

Baseline Schedule2012 Launch2017 Mercury Arrival

BepiColombo Science TeamProject Scientist:

Complete study of‘unknown planet’ near the Sun

R. Schulz (ESA/ESTEC)MPO Science Sub-Group[Altimeter][γ & neutron]

BELA (Laser Altimeter)

MGNS

PI:

N.Thomas (U. Bern, Switzerland)PI:

I. Mitrofanov (IKI, Russia)[Radio Science][X-ray]ISA (Accelerometer)

MIXS (spectrometer)PI:

V. Iafolla (CNR-IFSI, Italy)PI:
S. Dunkin (RAL, UK)
Co-PI: K. Muinonen (U. Helsinki, Finland)

MORE (Ka-band trans.)PI:

SIXS (Solar monitor)

L. Iess (Univ. Rome, Italy)PI:
J. Huovelin (Univ. Helsinki, Finland)
Co-PI: M. Grande (RAL, UK)[Magnetic field][UV]

MERMAG (Magnetometer)PI:
A. Balogh (ICL, UK)
Co-PI: C.M. Carr (ICL, UK)

PHEBUS (spectrometer)

SIMBIO-SYSPI:
E. Flamini (ISA, Italy)
Co-PI: F. Capaccioni (INAF-IASF, Italy)
L. Colangeli (INAF-OAdC, Italy)
G. Cremonese (INAF-OAdP, Italy)
A. Doressoundiram (LESIA, France)
O. Forni (IAS, France)
J. L. Josset (SPACE-X, Switzerland)

MMO Science Sub-Group
Project Scientist:
H. Hayakawa (ISAS/JAXA, Japan)(Deputy) Y. Kasaba, T. Takashima (ISAS/JAXA, Japan)

MGF

Magnetic Field Investigation(2 sub instruments)
studies magnetic field from the planet, magnetosphere, andinterplanetary solar wind.

The innermost planet Mercury was already known inPI:
W. Baumjohann (IWF, Austria)
Co-PI:
H. Matsuoka (ISAS/JAXA, Japan)
the ancient days, but it was visited only by theMembers: Japan, Austria, Germany, UK, USA
Mariner 10 spacecraft 3 decades ago. Mercury is still MPPE Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment(7 sub-instruments)“unknown” and provides important keys to the solar
studies plasma & neutral particles from the planet, magnetosphere,
and interplanetary solar wind.
system sciences.
PI:
Y. Saito (ISAS/JAXA, Japan)
Co-PI:

J.-A. Sauvaud (CESR-CNRS, France), M. Hirahara (Rikkyo Univ., Japan),
S. Barabash (IRF, Sweden)
Members: Japan, France, Sweden, UK, Italy, Czech, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland
USA, Taiwan

History of Inner Solar System
Mercury’s high density and composition tell us the initialstage of the innermost solar system.
Why do planets have magnetic field? Mercury provides
the first chance to compare the magnetic field with Earth.

[Neutral / Ion particles]
SERENA

PWI

Plasma Wave Investigation(7 sub-instruments)
studies electric field, electromagnetic waves, and radio waves frommagnetosphere and solar wind.
PI:
Co-PI:

H. Matsumoto (RISH, Kyoto Univ., Japan)
J.-L. Bougeret (LESIA, France), L. Blomberg (KTH, Sweden),
H. Kojima (RISH, Kyoto Univ.), S. Yagitani (Kanazawa Univ.)
Members: Japan, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Hungary, ESA

MSASI Sodium Atmosphere Spectral Imager
studies thin sodium atmosphere of Mercury.

Magnetosphere: Similar or Different ?

PI:
S. Orsini (CNR-IFSI, Italy)
Co-PI: S. A. Livi (JHU, USA)
S. Barabash (IRF, Sweden)
K. Torkar (SRI, Graz, Austria)

Mercury’s special magnetosphere without thickatmosphere will provide another view of the planetary
magnetosphere.

[IR]
MERTIS-TIS
PI:

C. Noshi/RISH, Kyoto Univ.

Origin & Structure of Magnetic Field

PI:
E. Chassefiere (SA/IPSL,France)
Co-PI: S. Okano (Tohoku Univ.)
O. Korablev (IKI, Russia)[Image & V-NIR Spectrum]is a three-axis stabilized spacecraft. The MPO will
study geology, composition, inner structure and theexosphere. Abnormal structure and composition ofMercury will provide the keys for the planetary
formation in the inner solar system.

E.K. Jessberger (U. Munster, Germany)

Magnetic Field &Internal structureInternal structurePI:
I. Yoshikawa (Univ. Tokyo, Japan)
Co-PI:
O. Korablev (IKI, Russia)
Members: Japan, Russia, Italy, USA

MDM

Science

Structure & Composition

When and how did the crust form?
Unknown region: Ice on the pole? Volcano?

?

?

Model: Internal structure of Mercury

Magnetic field

Structure: Dipole or Multi-pole?
Origin:Dynamo or Crust?

PI:K. Nogami (Dokkyo Univ., Japan)
Members: Japan, Germany

Surface

What does internal structure look like?
Why does Mercury have large core?

Fact: Radius-Density relation of terrestrial-type planets

Mercury Dust Monitor
studies dust from the planet and interplanetary & interstellar space.

?

Fact: Image taken by Mariner 10[Connerney and Ness, 1988]

Magnetosphere &Inner Heliosphere

Global view

Is “analogical view” true ?
- How is “the small-scale magnetosphere” ?
- How is “the current system” without ionosphere ?
Fact: “Magnetosphere”(?) observed in 1st Flyby of Mariner 10
Variation of magnetic field & Unique energetic events?

Expectation: Model of Herman magnetosphere?

Expectation: Spectroscopy of Lunar surface

Fact: Magnetic field observation at 3rd Flyby of Mariner 10?

Structure & Composition

What is the origin ?
How and why is the fast variability ?

How is the acceleration / heating process ?
How is the scale effects?

How are the relationship between themthrough photon, fields, particles, dusts, etc.?

Na?
Fact: Fast changes of Na atomsphere

Energetic process

Surface / Exosphere / Magnetosphere /Heliosphere interactions

ExosphereFact: Optical line image of Na & K?

Expectation: Spatial distribution of Na

JAXA/BepiColombo
JAXA/BepiColombo Project
Project Office:
Office: http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/mercury/
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/mercury/