{"id":"23003c1d-2d9d-4b4b-9a92-87bf5bbb84e2","url":"https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/after-8-years-europes-bepicolombo-mission-is-on-final-approach-to-mercury/","domain":"arstechnica.com","outlet":{"name":"Ars Technica","country":"US","cred":4,"lean":-1,"curated":true},"title":"After 8 years, Europe's BepiColombo mission is on final approach to Mercury","plainHeadline":"BepiColombo approaches Mercury to enter orbit later this year","rewrite":{"model":null,"at":null},"summary":["BepiColombo has completed eight years of cruise to Mercury launched in 2018.","The mission uses a nine gravity assist flybys including Earth, Venus, and Mercury.","On separation, the Mercury Transfer Module was jettisoned; two orbiters remain.","Orbital insertion around Mercury is planned for November 21, pending success.","The mission includes European, Japanese, and US contributions with electrified propulsion."],"topics":["Space"],"lang":"eng","publishedAt":"2026-09-04T22:49:17.000Z","ingestedAt":"2026-09-04T23:48:18.081Z","story":null}