“Rosetta” comet caught up – TVNZ

This event, scientists waited 10 long years. European space probe “Rosetta” overcame 6.4 billion kilometers and still caught up with the comet 67P, or as it is called, the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

In academia reigns now waiting for a great miracle, revolution, a huge breakthrough, which happens maybe once in a hundred years. Probe “Rosetta” entered into the orbit of the comet P67. The chase, which lasted a long 10.5 years, came to an end.

«We are there!” – Finally said loudly Sylvan Lodio , an employee of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Control Center flight in Darmstadt. The first phase of the project, which cost European taxpayers 1.3 billion euros, has been successful.

three-ton “Rosetta” has gone a long way in March 2004 on a rocket “Ariane”. To increase the speed of the probe takes the force of gravity on Earth and Mars. To save energy, the Mission Control Center “Rosetta” was even given two and a half year break – it entered the 31 month to sleep. In January, the probe “woke up.” Began the final stage of the chase. To better understand how far overcame probe, suffice it to say that the signal from it overcomes 550 million kilometers separating it from the earth now, almost 23 minutes.

The Chase successfully completed. Now begins a new, no less difficult and important phase of the project – a study of a comet that is racing at a speed of 55,000 kilometers per hour. The speed of the probe is now 1 meter per second more.

In order to keep a hyperbolic orbit above the rotating in space rocky boulder at an altitude of about 100 kilometers, “Rosetta” have every few days the motors. Phase of the study the comet 67P, which because of its shape has also been called “rubber duck”, will last 15 months. All this time, will be actively working the scientific instruments mounted on the probe.

As the comet to the sun will heat up and leave behind a trail of dust and gas. This will enable the probe to scrutinize its composition and atmosphere, and scientists to gain an understanding of comets and their role in the delivery of life in the most remote corners of our solar system at an early stage of its existence.

The most important moment of the entire project should come in November. Scientists and engineers will try to bring together as much as possible “Rosetta” with Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and even put on her lander “Phil.” He fixed on the surface of a comet using a harpoon and hold a series of important experiments. In particular, drill a shallow hole and take samples of rocks that make up the comet, according to Bi-bi-si.