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NewsWFLA News TampaSeptember 3, 2026Hillsborough

Two spacecraft begin final approach to Mercury after ten-year journey

Two spacecraft have separated from their mother ship to begin the final leg of a nearly decade-long mission to reach Mercury. This maneuver marks the start of the final approach phase for the mission to the solar system's smallest planet.

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Why It Matters

The mission represents the culmination of a ten-year scientific effort to study Mercury, the planet closest to the sun.

Key Facts

  • Two spacecraft separated from their mother ship on Thursday.
  • The mission to reach Mercury has been ongoing for nearly a decade.
  • Mercury is identified as the smallest planet in the solar system.
  • Mercury is identified as the planet closest to the sun.

Who's Mentioned

organizationEuropean Space Agency“Primary agency managing the mission and funding.”personIgnacio Tanco“Mission operations chief.”locationMercury“The destination planet for the spacecraft.”personGeraint Jones“Lead project scientist.”otherBepiColombo“The conjoined European and Japanese spacecraft mission.”personSanta Martinez“Mission manager.”organizationNASA“US space agency involved in previous Mercury missions.”