Ithaca NY (SPX) Nov 20, 2025
Sending spacecraft into low Earth orbit could transform next-generation telecommunications, space exploration and national security. But that altitude - which begins roughly 60 miles above the planet's surface - is a fickle place due to atmospheric drag, and spacecraft would require a new kind of propulsion system to remain in orbit there. "At the boundary of space, there's still enough re

Image: Finding star clusters in the Lost Galaxy

The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission has been cruising towards Mercury since October 2018. With just one year to go until it arrives at its destination, what has the mission achieved so far? And what can we expect from its two spacecraft after they enter orbit around the Solar System’s smallest and least-explored rocky planet? 

Video: 00:05:30

Bepi, Mio and MTM’s adventures continue! What have they achieved on their extraordinary journey to Mercury, planet of extremes and mysteries?

They haven’t been bored, that’s for sure. They snapped cool photos and collected real science data as they flew past Earth, Venus and Mercury – each planet is unique! After witnessing Venus’s blinding heat, flying through Mercury’s freezing shadow, and braving strong winds and radiation coming from the Sun, the trio know they are ready for anything.

In November 2026, the spacecraft will arrive at Mercury to stay. Bepi and Mio will orbit around the little planet to

Rocket Lab launched a payload for an undisclosed commercial customer Nov.

Eumetsat takes control of Sentinel-6B