ESA title
Agency

Rosetta at closest of comet.

Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2015 | 07:30 - 07:45 GMT | 08:30 - 08:45 CET

Replay: Tue, Feb 17, 2015 | 16:00 - 16:15 GMT | 17:00 - 17:15 CET

Type: ESA TV Exchange

Format: 16:9

On February 14th Rosetta made its closest encounter with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasemenko at just 6kms from the surface. The spacecraft is no longer orbiting the comet because of its activity so it is now performing a series of flybys to continue its science.

This film explains the next stage of the Rosetta mission, the science that will be done during 2015 by the orbiter’s flybys, and assesses the possibility of the Philae lander’s reactivation from hibernation.

So far Rosetta has only mapped about seventy per cent of the surface because the comet’s orbit and rotation kept certain areas in darkness. This year new regions will come into view alongside new activity on the surface. When the comet is at the peak of its activity in the summer, Rosetta’s instruments will be there to observe, measure and record a spectacular event.

 It contains interviews with Andrea ACCOMAZZO, Rosetta Flight Director, ESA (English) and Matt TAYLOR, Rosetta Project Scientist, ESA (English).

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

Preview and download:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2015/02/Rosetta_s_closest_encounter

Script:
EbS97668.doc

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