Laser altimeter BELA ready to explore Mercury's surface

The BepiColombo mission, a joint effort between ESA and JAXA, is set to explore Mercury's surface with the help of the laser altimeter BELA. BELA, the heaviest instrument on the MPO spacecraft, was successfully activated on September 14, 2026, after a series of cautious tests. The activation process involved sending a 10-second laser burst toward open space, confirming the instrument's reliability and thermal behavior. BELA was then given the first "go" for the next step, with the laser operated for 10 minutes and later for over an hour, ensuring all stages of the activation were tested safely. The successful activation marks the beginning of the science phase, with the mission expected to begin in March 2027.

BELA was developed by an international consortium, including the University of Bern and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and is designed to measure Mercury's surface topography and morphology. The activation of BELA is a crucial milestone, as it allows the spacecraft to create a three-dimensional representation of Mercury with unprecedented accuracy. The activation process was carefully controlled, with each step tested to ensure the instrument's reliability. The successful activation is a significant step toward the mission's scientific objectives.

The mission's next major milestone is scheduled for December 9, 2026, when JAXA's Mio will be deployed into its operational orbit around Mercury. The MPO will then prepare for its own science orbit, which is scheduled to be reached in March 2027. The activation of BELA is a key component of the mission, providing valuable data on Mercury's surface and contributing to the study of the planet closest to the sun.

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