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Rosetta Comet Rendezvous Postponed

Posted by michael on from the day-late-and-a-euro-short dept.

Hobnut writes "This space-scoop on the BBC reveals that the Rosetta mission has been cancelled. Well.. for now at least. It looks as if we'll have to wait indefinitely before we can do comet-surface science with the Euro-Space agency. I wonder if this has anything to do with last month's Ariane 5 explosion (ESAs launch vehicle) , which will surely go down in history as one the worlds most expensive fireworks. Let's hope the mission is back on soon."

15 comments

  1. Yes by kingOFgEEEks · · Score: 1

    Yes, it does partially have to do with the afforementioned rocket failure, but i'm sure there are other factors involved. Anybody have any good insights?

    --
    mechanicos ergo cogito
    1. Re:Yes by uncoveror · · Score: 2

      They knew better than to lauch Rosetta after what happened to Contour. The aliens would just blow it up, too.

      --
      The Uncoveror: It's the real news.
    2. Re:Yes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, it *is* because of the rocket failure. For good insights, why not look at ESA's own website? http://www.esa.int

  2. Other reasons for Rosetta postponement by barakn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The Rosetta launch would have required the rocket to enter Earth orbit and then re-fire (a.k.a. a ballistic coast phase). This would have been the first time this maneuver was attempted with an Ariane 5. This particular Ariane 5 also had significant changes made to its equipment bay and electrical system. (paraphrasing from this linkand other sources)

    --
    "I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
  3. Not the most expensive fireworks by WolfWithoutAClause · · Score: 2
    Space shuttle was way more expensive, both in monetary as well as human terms; atleast if you stick to aerospace.

    And if you count wartime, do nuclear weapons count?

    --

    -WolfWithoutAClause

    "Gravity is only a theory, not a fact!"
  4. Most expencive fireworks? by Stigmata669 · · Score: 1, Funny

    you think one rocket is good... imagine a beowolf cluster of exploding rockets

    *ducks the huge can of moderation*

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    Yawn.
  5. Not really... by Tuxinatorium · · Score: 4, Informative

    "I wonder if this has anything to do with last month's Ariane 5 explosion (ESAs launch vehicle) , which will surely go down in history as one the worlds most expensive fireworks. Let's hope the mission is back on soon."

    Actually, the challenger space shuttle, Apollo 1, Apollo 13, and the first 5 (failed) mercury missions were all more expensive than an Ariane 5.

    --
    Repeal the DMCA!
    1. Re:Not really... by Kibo · · Score: 1

      So then there are only two spots left in the top ten? I guess that does take it out of the running unless E! and Brooke Burke get involved, huh? What she has over Letterman in the way of young nubile flesh, she lacks in list making authority I guess.

      --
      --Jimmy has fancy plans; and pants to match.
  6. MOD Parent up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now if you could just get the ... In Soviet Russia Line in..

    1. Re:MOD Parent up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In Soviet Russia, the beowulf clusters you!

  7. Ouch. by KjetilK · · Score: 1

    I have quite a few friends working on the Rosetta project. I'm glad I'm not in their shoes right now... Hope they find a launch window soon...

    --
    Employee of Inrupt, Project Release Manager and Community Manager for Solid
  8. Wasn't there a movie about this??? by Ashtray_Waterloo · · Score: 1

    I just hope they don't take the science from Armageddon....

    Yet another smartarsed comment from some idiot...

  9. Some real information by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Rosetta was *delayed* (not cancelled), because of the *engine failure* (not explosion) of the extended Ariane 5 in december.

    The delay means that the spacecraft will have to visit another comet, as Wirtanen will be out of range. The search for another comet could take as long as a year.

    To read this for yourself, take a look at www.esa.int.

  10. Test post by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 1

    Hi, just abusing this out of the way story to see what the hell is up with the new posting scores. Please bear with me.

    --
    Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.