The European Space Agency registered confirmation on September 3, 2026, at 16:54 Moscow time, of the separation of two probes—the European MPO and the Japanese MMO—from the MTM transfer module. This marked the end of the interplanetary flight phase of the BehiColombo station to Mercury.
The transit phase lasted almost eight years and included nine gravitational maneuvers performed near the planets Earth, Venus, and Mercury. During the mission, engine problems also arose, which required adjustments to the initial flight plan.
According to the schedule, the MPO and MMO probes are set to enter their first orbit around the planet on November 21, 2026. Furthermore, in early September, the MMO will separate from the MPO, and the sunshield will also detach. The European MPO probe is planned to be placed into its operational orbit by March 2027, with scientific work scheduled to begin in early April 2027.