Rosetta: the end is in sight

Date: Fri, Sep 02, 2016 | 06:30 - 06:45 GMT | 08:30 - 08:45 CEST

Replay: Fri, Sep 02, 2016 | 15:00 - 15:15 GMT | 17:00 - 17:15 CEST

Type: ESA TV Exchange

Format: 16:9

It is just over two years since Rosetta made its rendez-vous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and now the end of the mission is in sight.  

As the comet head towards Jupiter, Rosetta is getting spectacularly close to the surface - up to three kilometres so far - allowing detailed views of the comet’s cliffs, boulders and plains, as well as observing changes since the orbiter’s arrival. A ten tonne boulder, for instance, has moved by 140 metres, most likely due to activity during perihelion, when the comet was at its closest point to the Sun.

This film provides an overview of recent events in preparation for the mission’s end on September 30th, when Rosetta will spiral down to a landing site on the head of the duck shaped comet, performing science and taking images along the way.

It includes interviews with Carsten GÜTTLER, OSIRIS camera scientist, ESA (English and German); Fabrizzio CAPACCIONI, VIRTIS instrument Principal Investigator (English); Claire VALLAT, European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) liaison scientist, ESA (English and French).

More information at: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta

Preview and download:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2016/09/Rosetta_the_end_is_in_sight

Script:
EbSI-125301.doc

Satellite Parameters: Eutelsat 9A at 9 degrees E, transponder 59, downlink frequency 11900.1 horizontally polarised, symbol rate 27,500 FEC 2/3.