A space probe with Swiss-built instruments on board has begun its journey to Mercury to explore the smallest and innermost planet in the Solar System.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/urs
It will take an estimated seven years for the BepiColombo probe to reach its destination following the launch from the European spaceport in French Guiana on Saturday.
The 6.4 metre spacecraft, which was constructed by the European and the Japanese space agencies, has on board a laser altimeter and an innovative mass spectrometer built by the Physics Institute of the University of Bern.
These instruments will help investigate the magnetospheric interaction between the planet and the solar wind and explore the planet’s surface by remote sensing, according to a statement by Bern UniversityExternal link.
External Content
Super sensitive
The most sensitive Bela laser altimeter can measure the shape, topography and morphology of the planet’s surface.
“Fundamentally, we will be able to create a 3D image of the entire planet,” says Nicolas Thomas, director of the physics institute.
The Strofio mass spectrometer, for its part, allows scientists to record the thin atmosphere of Mercury and analyse its chemical composition, according to Peter Wurz, professor at the physics institute.
Both space researchers were involved in the BepiColombo mission and were part of the advisory group of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Thomas says the heat on Mercury – it can be ten times that measured on Earth – was a major challenge for scientists. The researchers had to design and build instruments in such a way that they can withstand the searing heat of the sun.
Once BepiColombo has achieved its intended orbit, data transmission to Earth will take about 15 minutes, according to the statement by Bern University.
The experiments and scientific investigations on Mercury could take up to two years.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with his victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Geneva-led team gets good look at tailed planet
This content was published on
Scientists at the University of Geneva looking for planets outside our solar system have found one with a unique feature: a huge tail made of gas.
The wonderful and turbulent world of comets, as seen by Swiss scientists
This content was published on
Swiss researchers outline some of the key findings collected during the European Space Agency’s historic Rosetta mission.
This content was published on
Scientists from the universities of Geneva and Bern are heavily involved in the largest European exoplanet research mission.
This content was published on
The GJ436b exoplanet follows an elliptical orbit over the poles of its star, researchers from the Swiss University of Geneva have discovered.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.