Comet landing a step closer

European space scientists are today taking another significant step in the mission to make the first ever landing on a comet.

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European space scientists are today sending a signal about 440-million kilometres from Earth, ordering a spacecraft to move closer to the comet it's been orbiting.

The Rosetta spacecraft is being moved to within 30 kilometres of the comet known as 67-P, which it reached in August after a decade-long chase across the solar system.

This will give scientists a better look at the site that's been selected for the historic first ever landing on a comet, by a robotic device called Philae, due to be sent down from Rosetta in November.

Dutch space scientist Gerhard Schwehm, who has spent more than 20 years of his career working on the Rosetta project, told Santilla Chingaipe about the difficulties of the landing.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)

 


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By Santilla Chingaipe

Source: World News Australia



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