Comets are the most primitive objects in the Solar System. Many scientists think that they have kept a record of the physical and chemical processes that occurred during the early stages of the evolution of our Sun and Solar System.
ESA launched two missions with cometary destinations. The Giotto mission was launched in 1986 and successfully rendezvoused with Comet Halley that year and Comet Grigg–Skjellerup in 1992. In 2004, ESA launched Rosetta on a ten-year journey to land on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Giotto factsheet The Giotto mission at a glance
Giotto overview A look at the highlights of the mission
Articles
Rosetta will be the first mission ever to land on a comet. After its lander reaches the comet, the main spacecraft will follow the comet for many months as it heads towards the Sun. Rosetta's task is to study comets, which are considered the primitive building blocks of the Solar System. This will help us to understand if life on Earth began with the help of 'comet seeding'.
Rosetta is one of the most challenging missions ever attempted. Many of the complex navigation and landing manoeuvres need to take place automatically with absolutely no room for error. The complications of sending a small spacecraft halfway across the Solar System and making a soft landing on a small comet are immense.
Rosetta factsheet The Rosetta mission at a glance
Rosetta overview A look at the highlights of the mission
Articles
Liostáil lenár nuachtlitir chun an nuacht is déanaí, nuashonruithe misin, agus léargas eisiach a fháil go díreach i do bhosca isteach. Bí ar an gcéad duine a bheidh ar an eolas faoinár dtionscadail agus ár ndul chun cinn atá le teacht.
