Giovanni Battista (Bepi) Colombo was an Italian engineer and physicist, best known for his contributions to space exploration. Born on June 2, 1937, in a small town near Venice, he played a significant role in the development of spacecraft and missions, particularly for the European Space Agency (ESA). His work included the design of the Giotto spacecraft, which famously flew by the comet Halley in 1986. Colombo's innovative ideas also led to advancements in the use of gravity assists, a technique that allows spacecraft to gain speed and change direction by using the gravity of planets. This method was crucial for missions like Voyager and has been instrumental in exploring the outer solar system. Bepi Colombo, who passed away in 1984, is remembered for his lasting impact on space science.