Rosetta (spacecraft)

Introduction

The Rosetta was a robotic space probe built and launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) with the primary mission to perform detailed studies of the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Mission Overview

The mission was launched on 2 March 2004 on an Ariane 5 rocket and reached the comet on 6 August 2014, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit a comet. The Rosetta mission aimed to complete the most detailed study of a comet ever attempted, and included both an orbiter and a lander, Philae, which was deployed to the comet's surface.

Design and Instruments

The Rosetta spacecraft carried 11 scientific instruments for its comet study, while the Philae lander carried an additional 10 instruments. These instruments were designed to study the comet from near and far, and from inside and out, providing the most comprehensive picture of a comet ever collected.

Mission Timeline

The Rosetta mission timeline was complex, involving multiple gravity assist maneuvers and long periods of hibernation as the spacecraft journeyed towards its rendezvous with the comet. The mission timeline also included a number of flybys of asteroids Šteins and Lutetia for additional scientific study.

End of Mission

The mission was declared ended on 30 September 2016 when controllers at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany sent the final command to the spacecraft to shut down its operating systems.

Legacy

The Rosetta mission has provided a wealth of data about comets that will be studied for years to come. It has significantly advanced our understanding of the early solar system and the role comets may have played in the delivery of water and organic molecules to Earth.