Mission to Mercury for British scientists
Updated on 11 September 2009
British scientists develop an engine, bound for Mercury in 2014, that is tipped to revolutionise space travel.
The European Space Agency mission Bepi-Colombo will launch a craft bound for the planet Mercury in 2014.
Developed by British scientists, the craft will be driven by four "ion engines" which use a revolutionary technology to provide thrust.
If all goes to plan, the engines could become the backbone of long-distance space travel.
