'A new mission starting today': 8 years after launch, BepiColombo begins Mercury arrival

After traveling through the inner solar system for nearly eight years, the BepiColombo spacecraft has officially begun its arrival at Mercury. This trailblazing mission will soon see the craft split into two separate spacecraft. These units are designed to explore and uncover the secrets of Mercury, which remains the least-explored planet in the inner solar system. The mission marks a new phase of discovery starting today after its extensive journey through space.