Mission Data Processor Aboard the BepiColombo Mio Spacecraft: Design and Scientific Operation Concept

BepiColombo Mio, also known as the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), is intended to conduct the first detailed study of the magnetic field and environment of the innermost planet, Mercury, alongside the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO). This orbiter has five payload groups; the MaGnetic Field Investigation (MGF), the Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE), the Plasma Wave Investigation (PWI), the Mercury Sodium Atmosphere Spectral Imager (MSASI), and the Mercury Dust Monitor (MDM). These payloads operate through the Mission Data Processor (MDP) that acts as an integrated system for Hermean environmental studies by the in situ observation of charged and energetic neutral particles, magnetic and electric fields, plasma waves, dust, and the remote sensing of radio waves and exospheric emissions. The MDP produces three kinds of coordinated data sets: Survey (L) mode for continuous monitoring, Nominal (M) mode for standard analyses of several hours in length (or more), and Burst (H) mode for analysis based on 4–20-min-interval datasets with the highest cadence. To utilize the limited telemetry bandwidth, nominal- and burst-mode data sets are partially downlinked after selections of data based on L- or L/M-mode data, respectively. Burst-mode data can be taken at preset timings, or by onboard automatic triggering. The MDP functions are implemented and tested on the ground as well as cruising spacecraft; they are responsible for conducting full scientific operations aboard spacecraft.