BepiColombo is a space probe developed by
ESA and JAXA,
to reach and investigate Mercury.
It was launched in October 2018
and is currently set to arrive in November 2026,
to carry out a 1-to-2-year scientific investigation.
It uses solar electric propulsion to produce an
ion thrust (an ion engine),
and on the trip has been performing a number of gravity assists with
Earth, Venus, and Mercury, the
flybys offering opportunity for observation during the trip.
The gravity assists make the trip efficient,
making dependence upon solar energy feasible despite its limitations,
but this technique can result in a long time reaching the destination.
Included are two orbiters to be deployed at the
final arrival: