Rosetta after 10 years of flight entered the orbit of a comet. Now … – News 24

After 10 years, five months and four days of Rosetta spacecraft was close to the comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Rosetta probe was launched European Space Agency. The task is to send the object to the comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko lander. After more than 10 years from the outlet of the probe finally reached the orbit of a comet. As reported by the Republic of object traveled so far 6.4 billion miles and five circled the sun. The distance is so large that the auditors waited 22 minutes to confirm the inclusion of the Rosetta engine. It provided pictures from a distance of 130 km from the comet.

It starts with probably the most difficult phase of the mission. The lander Philae to land on a comet and begin testing its nucleus and activity. Planned maneuver to be carried out in November. The lander weighed less than 100 pounds. It has a small size: 1 meter to 0.8 meters. It was constructed of carbon fiber and aluminum. The lander is equipped with research tools that allow you to make drilling to a depth of more than 20 centimeters.

Rosetta will be the artificial satellite comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko until next year.