Rosetta mission ends. “We’re trying to squeeze out of it as much as possible” – Polish Radio

The mission Rosetta was launched in 2004. In the course of spacecraft made observations of the two passed in close proximity to the asteroid Lutetia and Šteins and made a flyby of Mars and the Earth three times the next flights.

 

In August 2014 years reached its target near the comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko and entered orbit around its nucleus. From the deck of the probe was released lander Philae, which for the first time in history landed on the comet’s surface.

 

“We have before us many years of work”

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced on its website that a Rosetta mission will end on 30 September. After consultation with the scientists responsible for the ESA probe decided that Rosetta will join its lander Philae and also settle on a comet.

Poll increasingly moving away from the Sun and Earth (now moving in the direction of Jupiter’s orbit). It reaches to her less and less sunshine and there are growing problems with the use of solar energy, which is necessary for operation of the probe and its instruments.

 

With an increase in distance weakens too connectivity and the ability to transmit data to Earth.

The trajectory of the probe operators begin to change in August. At the end of the mission the probe will perform circuit after a series of elliptical orbits, which will be gradually brought closer to the surface of a comet.

 

As soon as the probe contacts the surface of the comet is interrupted communications. He then runs out the possibility of further use of the Rosetta.

During the descent to the comet and the last hours of life Rosetta will be able to perform a number of unique measurements, including pictures in very high resolution.

– We’re trying to squeeze out of it much observation, as far as possible, before we run out of solar energy – said engaged in the mission of the ESA Rosetta Matt Taylor.

 

– Sept. 30 will mark the end of the operation of the probe, while the beginning of the phase in which researchers will focus their attention entirely on the scientific aspect of the mission. We have before us many years of work, we will carefully analyze obtained in the course of the data – he added.

 
 

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The probe Rosetta comet matter performs tests and observations of changes in the activity of the comet during its approach to perihelion. Its mission is to help better understand the origin of comets, the links between the comet and interstellar matter and its importance for the formation of the solar system.

PAP, kk