ESA, JAXA
Where is BepiColombo now?
Today BepiColombo is 0.992 au (148.4 million km) from Earth and 0.435 au from the Sun. Its radio signals take 8 min 15 s to reach us. It is moving towards Earth at 30.4 km/s.
In our sky it is in Libra (right ascension 14h 43m 59s, declination −18° 57′ 36″), but far too faint to see.
Where it is in the Solar System
Seen from above the plane of Earth’s orbit, with the Sun in the middle: the planets’ orbits, the spacecraft today and its path a year back and a year ahead (where JPL’s trajectory covers it).
Mission
Two orbiters, ESA's MPO and JAXA's Mio, travelling together to study Mercury's surface, interior and magnetic environment.
| Agency | ESA, JAXA |
|---|---|
| Launch | October 20, 2018 |
| Destination | Mercury |
| Status | Arrival phase: transfer module separated on 3 September 2026; Mercury orbit insertion planned for 21 November 2026. |
Milestones
- October 1, 2021First Mercury flyby. Source
- January 8, 2025Sixth and final Mercury flyby. Source
- September 3, 2026Mercury Transfer Module separated, starting the arrival phase. Source
- November 21, 2026Planned Mercury orbit insertion. Source
- December 9, 2026Planned separation of the two orbiters, MPO and Mio (9-10 December). Source
- 2027-04Planned start of routine science operations at Mercury. Source
Position: JPL Horizons, October 13, 2026. ESA, JAXA · Data sources
How to use this page
The page shows where the spacecraft is now, its path through the solar system, its key facts and its main milestones, from NASA JPL’s data.
Frequently asked questions
How is the position worked out?
From NASA JPL Horizons, which publishes the trajectories of spacecraft. The page is refreshed daily.
Can I see it in the sky?
No. Deep space probes are far too small and far away to see, even with a large telescope.
How do we talk to it?
Through NASA’s Deep Space Network, large radio dishes in California, Spain and Australia.