How Rosetta navigated the unpredictable environment of Comet 67P
In short: This animation visualises the two-year journey of the Rosetta spacecraft around Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, detailing the complex maneuvers required to map the surface and deploy the Philae lander.
The spacecraft arrived within 100 km of the comet on 6 August 2014, beginning a decade-long mission that included selecting a landing site for the Philae lander. The mission faced significant challenges, including a 'safe mode' event in early 2015 caused by a close flyby and increased cometary activity around perihelion in August 2015. These environmental shifts forced Rosetta to maintain distances greater than 100 km for several months and necessitated excursions as far as 1500 km from the comet.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Rosetta’s journey around the comet
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