18 September 2014
This magnificent close-up image of Comet 67P, acquired by the European Rosetta spacecraft, from a distance of about 67 km from the comet, shows the site targeted for the landing of the Philae probe on 11 November 2014. The site, termed Site J, is marked by a plus sign.
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
As a result of a challenging task, scientists have managed to choose a site on Comet 67P, for the landing of the European Philae space probe. The landing, scheduled on 11 November 2014, will take place in a region termed Site J, the safest region for the probe. Philae would be the first space vehicle to touch down on the surface of a comet. The high-resolution images of 67P, acquired by Philae’s mother ship, the Rosetta spacecraft, allowed the selection of Site J.
Philae is a small spacecraft, weighing 100-kg and currently attached to the much larger Rosetta spacecraft. It will perform detailed direct measurements and analysis of Comet 67P’s surface. The data would yield unique insight into the comet’s composition, structure and evolution.
Rosetta launched in March 2004, and reached 67P, on 6 August 2014. Now, the spacecraft has moved to within 30 km from the comet, enabling a more detailed study of its surface.
References
ESA Website
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem