The three modules of the BepiColombo mission to Mercury are shown in the picture after they were unpacked at the European Kourou space center (French Guiana).
The central stage is a eight-sided Japanese MMO module (Mercury Magnetospheric Orbital) with a white antenna and a high gain noticeable in the upper part (tilted upwards). The antenna is used to communicate with ground stations. To the right is the Mercury planetary orbiter MPO (now without protective insulating coatings). Together, the two scientific orbiters will conduct the most detailed studies of Mercury and its environment. They will be sent to the innermost planet using the MTM module, visible in the background on the left. The solar panels that will power the spacecraft will be connected later. After unpacking the spacecraft at the cosmodrome, each module was carefully checked for signs of damage during transportation from Europe to South America.
Separate devices on MPO and MTM, like batteries and a power supply, were also checked and added to the spacecraft. These two modules are connected with cables for electrical test. They will be attached mechanically closer to the launch date this year.
