Design and performance of the payload instrumentation of the BepiColombo Mercury planetary orbiter

High integration and miniaturization of payload suites have been identified by ESA as a possible strategy for future space missions. Driving argument for this effort is the wish for the future exploration of more solar system bodies in a relatively short time period. Standardizing the payload of missions may contribute to the flexibility of the mission, whereas the reduction of mass and volume could significantly reduce the all over costs. This approach was followed throughout the re-assessment of the payload of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) for the BepiColombo mission. The exploration of Mercury imposes several challenges on the mission due to Mercury's environment: The orbiter payload instruments have to face a rather high thermal heat load and high radiation dose levels. Mass savings were intended throughout the instrumentation by definition of the instruments design to a higher level, while meeting the science requirements. The instruments design and the iteration towards a higher maturity level was carried out together with the Science Advisory group of BepiColombo.