BepiColombo switches off solar electric propulsion for Mercury arrival (esa.int)

• SEP shutdown on 15 June 2026 at 15:24 CEST
• End of 8-year cruise phase, start of Mercury arrival
• Next steps: MTM separation on 3 Sep, orbit insertion on 21 Nov 2026

"On 15 June 2026 at 15:24 CEST, the solar electric propulsion (SEP) system on BepiColombo was permanently switched off, ending the spacecraft's eight-year cruise phase and beginning its arrival at Mercury. The SEP system used solar energy to ionize xenon gas, making it one of the most efficient propulsion systems ever flown. The next milestones include Mercury Transfer Module separation on 3 September 2026 and Mercury orbit insertion on 21 November 2026."