The Rosetta orbiter
Rosetta was a large aluminium box with dimensions 2.8 x 2.1 x 2.0 metres. The scientific instruments were mounted on the 'top' of the box (Payload Support Module) while the subsystems were on the 'base' (Bus Support Module).
08 OCT. 2013
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VIRTIS (Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) maps and studies the nature of the solids and the temperature on the surface of the nucleus. Also identifies comet gases, characterises the physical conditions of the coma and helps to identify the best landing sites.
Principal Investigator: Fabrizio Capaccioni, Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali, Rome, Italy.
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The Rosetta lander
The 100-kilogram Rosetta lander is provided by a European consortium under the leadership of the German Aerospace Research Institute (DLR). Other members of the consortium are ESA and institutes from Austria, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy and the UK.
ALICE
ALICE (Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer) analyses gases in the coma and tail and measures the comet's production rates of water and carbon monoxide/dioxide. It also provides information on the surface composition of the nucleus.
CONSERT
CONSERT (Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission) probes the comet's interior by studying radio waves that are reflected and scattered by the nucleus.
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