BepiColombo "MIO" in-orbit thermal control performance results from LEOP and NECP

BepiColombo was launched from Kourou by Ariane 5 on 20 October 2018. MMO “MIO” was totally switched-off and with no heater control at the launch. The power for the mechanical thermostat controlled heaters was supplied after the solar arrays of BepiColombo MTM and MPO were deployed. The mechanical thermostat controlled mode is called “dormant mode.” LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) ended 3days after the launch, and NECP (Near Earth Commissioning Phase) followed. “MIO” was switched-on (“Cruise Stand-by mode”) 7 days during NECP. After NECP, “MIO” will be in the dormant mode until the separation of “MIO” from MPO except the MMO health check which is scheduled once a half year. The in-orbit performance of the thermal control system during LEOP and NECP will be presented.