Science objectives
The science objectives of the BepiColombo mission cover all aspects of the planet and its environment. Broadly speaking, this will be achieved by studying the following themes:
- The origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star
- The planet’s interior structure and composition
- Characteristics and origin of its internal magnetic field
- Surface processes, such as cratering, tectonics, polar deposits and volcanism
- The structure, composition, origin and dynamics of Mercury's exosphere
- The structure and dynamics of Mercury's magnetosphere
- Einstein's Theory of General Relativity (by making precise measurements of the spacecraft’s orbit and position)
