Taking into account Mercuryâs gravitational pull, the firm plans to install a system which consists of four T6 ion thrusters and several planetary gravity-assist maneuvers. These will work to take advantage of Venusâ gravity to swing towards its destination.
Mike Healy, director of Earth observation, navigation and science for Astrium said, âAs the industrial prime contractor for the spacecraft, Astrium selected QinetiQ on the basis of the companyâs world leading capability in this field.â