Rosetta's new target awaits

Details Rosetta's new target awaits Rosetta's new target awaits

Feb 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004esabu.117....4e&link_type=abstract

ESA Bulletin (ISSN 0376-4265), No. 117, p. 4 - 13, 88 (2004)

Computer Science

5

Space Missions: Comets, Rosetta

Scientific paper

The countdown is under way once more for Europe's ambitious comet chaser. After the disappointment of a prolonged launch postponement in January 2003, engineers and scientists from all over the world are eagerly awaiting the February 2004 lift-off of ESA's Rosetta spacecraft and the start of its historic mission to orbit and land on a comet. However, the lengthy delay has meant that Rosetta will no longer be heading for comet 46P/Wirtanen. Following careful analysis of the available comets and associated launch constraints for each mission scenario, the ESA Science Programme Committee accepted the recommendation to change the target comet, but not the scientific objectives. The new target is a cosmic iceberg known as 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a fairly large, active comet which sweeps through the inner Solar System once every six and a half years. The revised mission scenario is even more challenging than the original one. In order to rendezvous with comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the spacecraft will now have to complete no fewer than four planetary flybys. During its circuitous 10-year odyssey around the inner Solar System, it will also have to endure long periods of hibernation, dramatic variations in sunlight and temperature, and two excursions through the main asteroid belt.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Rosetta's new target awaits does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Rosetta's new target awaits, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rosetta's new target awaits will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1018575