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Rosetta swings by Mars, heads towards the Sun

by Stephen Withers

Monday, 26 February 2007

The Rosetta comet probe successfully completed its swing-by of Mars and is now heading towards the Sun on its way back to Earth, according to the ESA's Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

As Rosetta approached Mars, it's Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) took a series of images that clearly show 'atmospheric structures' (dust or clouds) above the planet's surface. Selected images can be seen on this ESA web page.

The spacecraft is intended to reach and investigate comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, 10 years after it was launched. The complex trajectory involving three swing-bys of Earth and one of Mars will allow Odessa to meet the comet using a relatively small amount of fuel on its 7.1 thousand million kilometre journey.

When Rosetta arrives at Churyumov-Gerasimenko, it will drop a lander named Philae onto the comet's nucleus which will analyse the surface while the main spacecraft follows the comet for a year as it travels towards the Sun.

Another impressive image, this time taken by the lander, shows parts of Rosetta with Mars in the background. According to ESA officials, this was the first time the lander had operated autonomously, relying on power from its own batteries rather than from the main spacecraft.

Instruments on Philae also used the swing-by to study the magnetic field around Mars. The magnetic environments of comets are believed to be similar to that of Mars, so the successful measurements are an indication that the instruments will be able to do their job on arrival at Churyumov-Gerasimenko.{moscomment}

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