Comments on: Comet landing site confirmed https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/comet-landing-site-confirmed/ Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:28:08 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: danae https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/comet-landing-site-confirmed/#comment-382416 Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:28:08 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=31272#comment-382416 In reply to Robert Zimmerman.

That’s interesting. Thanks for the clarification, Bob. I wasn’t aware of the NEAR mission when it took place.

]]> By: Robert Zimmerman https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/comet-landing-site-confirmed/#comment-382006 Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:46:52 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=31272#comment-382006 In reply to danae.

With objects as small as the nucleus of Comet 67P/C-G, it requires significant engineering skill to keep Rosetta close by and in “orbit.” In truth, the spacecraft really isn’t in an orbit. Instead the two objects are orbiting the Sun in tandem with each other.

At some point, when Rosetta’s fuel supplies run low, a decision will have to be made. Either they can send it on its own path, or they can try to bring it down on the surface, as NASA engineers did with NEAR when it was traveling with the asteroid Eros.

]]> By: danae https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/comet-landing-site-confirmed/#comment-381723 Thu, 16 Oct 2014 03:47:15 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=31272#comment-381723 It will be, indeed. One question: The news release states that Rosetta will accompany the comet through their closest approach to the Sun next August and onward to the outer Solar System. Will Rosetta require guidance from the ground to stay with the comet as they move away from the vicinity of Earth, or will this be a natural process?

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