Comet-Chaser Rosetta Ready For Launch

Karl Kennedy writes "Europe's Rosetta space mission, which aims to chase and then land on a comet, is standing by for lift-off in French Guiana. Once up in space, Rosetta will be placed in orbit around Earth before departing for the outer Solar System. In 2014, Rosetta will reach the comet and deliver a lander to its surface. The probe will perform three close fly-bys of the Earth and one of Mars in "slingshot" manoeuvres that will use the planets' gravity to help the probe build up speed."

Comments

Re:Orbit a comet?

[Baron_Yam]

Any two objects can orbit. Distance, speed, and outside gravitional effect must be taken into consideration, and one assumes the comet outmasses the probe (otherwise the comet would likely be described as orbiting the probe!), but there is no reason the probe couldn't enter into an orbit of the comet.

Orbit animation here...

[snake_dad]

IMHO this is ESA's biggest challenge thusfar. 10 years is a very long time to wait for results of your mission... This flash animation shows Rosetta's long journey. This mission is even more awe inspiring than Stardust or Deep Impact.

Re:Slingshots and speed

[philbert26]

It works because the planet you slingshot around is moving. NASA has a page talking about it in quite some detail.

Energy and momentum are conserved. A slingshot slows down the planet by a tiny bit (just like you move the Earth when you jump in the air). The speed at which you leave the planet isn't any faster relative to the planet, but since the planet itself is moving, your speed relative to what you're aiming at can be increased.

Been done before, or close

[Tau Zero]

The NEAR spacecraft landed on the asteroid Eros over 3 years ago. Eros is rather eccentric, spinning, and small by our usual standards.