Rosetta Lander – Philae: Landing preparations. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ulamec, Stephan; Biele, Jens; Blazquez, Alejandro; Cozzoni, Barbara; Delmas, Cedric; Fantinati, Cinzia; Gaudon, Philippe; Geurts, Koen; Jurado, Eric; Küchemann, Oliver; Lommatsch, Valentina; Maibaum, Michael; Sierks, Holger; Witte, Lars
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 107(2015)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Rosetta -- Philae -- Comet -- Landing -- Landing site selection -- 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.11.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstracts: Rosetta is a Cornerstone Mission of the ESA Horizon 2000 program. After rendezvousing with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in August 2014 and a 10 year cruise it started to study both its nucleus and coma with an orbiting spacecraft. The Lander, Philae, will land on November 12th and perform in-situ studies of the cometary material with a payload consisting of 10 scientific instruments. Rosetta and Philae have been in hibernation until January 20, 2014. After the successful wakeup they underwent a post-hibernation commissioning. The orbiter instruments (like e.g. the OSIRIS cameras, VIRTIS, MIRO, Alice and ROSINA) characterized the target comet and its environment to allow landing site selection and the definition of a separation, descent and landing (SDL) strategy for the Lander. By September 2014 our previously poor knowledge of the characteristics of the nucleus of the comet has increased drastically and the nominal and backup landing could be selected. The nominal site, as well as the corresponding descent strategy have been confirmed in mid-October, one month before the landing. The paper summarizes the selection process for a landing site and the planning for Separation-Descent-Landing (SDL). Highlights: In this paper we give an overview of the Rosetta Lander activities after hibernation. The landing site selection process for Philae (and its results) is described. Information on the actual landing site is provided. The preparation for the on-comet activities is explained.