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Comet-Chaser Rosetta Ready For Launch

Posted by timothy on from the we-need-ice-cubes dept.

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."

1 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. Godspeed, little probe. by TwistedGreen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The engineering effort for something like this must be amazing. To launch this thing from Earth and have it eventually land on a moving comet... so much could go wrong.

    But I hope for the best, and I hope that the scientists involved discover what they're looking for. Onward and upward, in the name of discovery. Missions like these are what will truly benefit our understanding, a little bit at a time.