How Rosetta navigated the solar system to reach a comet
In short: This video tracks the decade-long mission of the Rosetta spacecraft, from its 2004 launch to its historic rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, including its unexpected hibernation and the discovery of the comet's unique shape.
Launched on 2 March 2004, the Rosetta mission utilized four gravitational assists from Earth and Mars to navigate the solar system. Along its path, the spacecraft conducted flybys of the asteroids Steins and Lutetia before arriving at its destination on 6 August 2016.
Upon arrival, Rosetta became the first spacecraft to orbit a comet. During the rendezvous manoeuvres in May 2016, onboard cameras captured the comet's unusual 'space duck' shape. The mission's culmination involved the release of the Philae lander onto the comet's surface in November 2014.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Rosetta's journey
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