The first ever probe to attempt to land on a comet now has a place to touch down.
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission, which hopes to land a
probe on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko on November 11, has selected
what it describes as “an intriguing region… that offers unique
scientific potential” for its landing.
Known as Site J, the area – which was selected from shortlist of
five after a week of deliberations – is on the “head” of the
irregular-shaped comet, while the back-up option, Site C, is on the
“body”.
Landing
Site J, the centre of which is marked with a white cross
(ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)
But the irregular shape and unpredictable landscape of the comet mean the landing will be difficult to achieve.
“As we have seen from recent close-up images, the comet is a
beautiful but dramatic world – it is scientifically exciting, but its
shape makes it operationally challenging,” says Stephan Ulamec, Philae
Lander Manager at the DLR German Aerospace Center.
“None of the candidate landing sites met all of the operational
criteria at the 100% level, but Site J is clearly the best solution.”
Where the landing site is situated on the comet (ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA)
Should it touch down successfully, the lander Philae will then begin
analysis of the surface chemistry of the comet – something that has
never been attempted before.
“We will make the first ever in situ analysis of a comet at this
site, giving us an unparalleled insight into the composition, structure
and evolution of a comet,” said Jean-Pierre Bibring, a lead lander
scientist on the project.
“Site J in particular offers us the chance to analyse pristine
material, characterise the properties of the nucleus, and study the
processes that drive its activity.”
Irrespective of the success of the lander mission, Rosetta continues
to analyse the comet from orbit, where it arrived last month.
In the past few weeks, Rosetta has moved closer to the comet and is now around 30km away.
And if you think Site J lacks some of the poetry of the Sea of Tranquillity, fear not – there’ll be a naming competition soon.
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