ESA Science & Technology - ESA BR-321: Rosetta - Living with a comet

Publication date: 01 August 2015

Journal: ESA Brochure
Volume: 321
Year: 2015

Copyright: ESA

Rosetta is ESA's comet-chasing mission to 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Launched on 2 March 2004, the spacecraft travelled for 10 years and required three gravity-assist flybys at Earth and one at Mars before homing in on its target.

Comets are time capsules containing primitive material left over from the epoch when the Sun and its planets formed. By studying the gas, dust and structure of the nucleus and organic materials associated with the comet, via both remote and in situ observations, the Rosetta mission could be the key to unlocking the history and evolution of our Solar System.

Table of contents:

• Europe's comet-chaser
• The long trek
• A human endeavour
• Rendezvous with a comet
• Pull-out poster: Rosetta mission selfie
• Landing on a comet
• The Rosetta orbiter
• The Philae lander
• Getting to know the comet
• An evolving story
• An international enterprise
• Join the adventure