Lecture on ESA's mission to Mercury

Jan van Casteren, BepiColombo project manager at European Space Agency (ESA), comes to tell all about the mission to Mercury on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. BepiColombo is a cornerstone mission of Cosmic Vision, the scientific program of the European Space Agency (ESA).

BepiColombo is the first mission to simultaneously put 2 satellites into low orbit around Mercury. This is done to conduct a global and detailed study of the planet's composition, its environment and genesis.

Challenging mission due to extreme heat
It is a very challenging mission because the satellites have to endure extremely hot temperatures. In fact, near Mercury, the mercury can rise as high as 450 degrees Celsius.

Mission Overview
Meanwhile, construction of the flight satellites has begun. The lecture will provide an overview of the mission, the many technological challenges and the test program for a trip to the hell of the solar system.

Admission and start time
The lecture will take place in Aviodrome's Uiver Hall. Starts at 10.30 am (hall open 10.00 am). Admission for this lecture is € 7.00, children and friends/donors of the National Space Museum pay € 3.50. Visitors to Aviodrome can attend this lecture for an additional fee of € 3.50.