02/26/2007

Mars Swing-By

Comet Spacecraft Snaps Photos of the Red Planet

The "Rosetta" comet probe has passed its first test and sent back spectacular photos of Mars. The craft still has a long way to go before linking up with its target: the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Europe's comet-hunting spacecraft "Rosetta" flew around Mars on Sunday in a gravitational slingshot maneuver that changed its trajectory through the solar system. The probe sent back spectacular images of the red planet, including sharp images of cloud patterns.

Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) were pleased. "The Mars swing-by was the mission's most critical event since the launch," said Manfred Warhaut, head of mission operations.

Rosetta draws energy from the sun, but it was light-deprived behind Mars for about 25 minutes. "It was the first time since its launch that Rosetta crossed an eclipse," said ESA spokesperson Elso Montagnon. "We could not be 100 percent sure that (its) batteries would be up to the job."

Rosetta also tested instruments on its landing craft, "Philae," which will touch down on the surface of a comet called 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in November 2014 and send home information about the comet's water and mineral makeup. Rosetta will orbit the comet during this operation.

In the swing-by on Sunday, Rosetta "changed direction and then sped away from the Red Planet on a brand new path, continuing on a journey that will ultimately take it beyond Jupiter's orbit," the agency said in a statement.

But it won't be a direct path to the comet -- Rosetta's long journey will include two more swings around the Earth.

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