When you read about the discoveries of the last century, it seems that all the fun has already been found and studied, and the share of his contemporaries can only reverence for the power of science of the past century.However, it is not so.Progress, technical and scientific, allows humanity to set more ambitious goals and achieve them.Among these can be attributed to study comets using apparatus capable of down on their surface.It was created for such purposes probe "Rosetta" spacecraft in 2004 went to the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko.On it will be discussed below.
little history
mission "Rosetta" - is not the only attempt to examine the comet.Background begins in the 1980s when the "Vega" and ICE, the Soviet and American-European vehicles, flying past the caudate cosmic bodies to receive and transmit certain information about them.These and subsequent meetings with comets brought scientists a lot of data.In particular, the core was photographed like a cosmic body, a comet took off from a metal disc and a few years have seen the results fall to Earth samples of dust were taken from the tail of a comet.However, the probe "Rosetta" unparalleled in the history of space exploration has not.Before it was originally posed a difficult task: to become for a while the satellite and comet on its surface to lower unit "Fila" for direct research facility.
reorientation
Initially, thereby the object was to be the comet Wirtanen.The basis of selection lay convenient flight trajectory of the cosmic body, and some of its features, reduces the risk of failure of the research mission of the probe.To go to the comet Wirtanen, satellite "Rosetta" was supposed to start in January 2003.However, about a month earlier during the launch engine failure of the launch vehicle "Ariane-5".As a result, it was decided to postpone the launch of the probe, and to revise the program of flight.
67P
new object, which was supposed to send a space probe "Rosetta" comet became 67P, it is also called Churyumov-Gerasimenko.It was opened in 1969 by Klim Churyumov in images taken by Svetlana Gerasimenko.The object is a short-period comets: every 6.6 years, he flies close to the sun.The flight path is practically limited to the orbit of Jupiter.An important feature of this research for the comet - the predictability of its flight, which means you can accurately calculate the required motion of the spacecraft.
structure
probe "Rosetta" carries a large amount of equipment, and the descent module "Fila" - is not the only valuable part of it.Among the equipment ultraviolet spectrometer necessary for the analysis of gases in the tail of the comet and determine the composition of its core, the camera work is not only visible, but also in the ultraviolet and infrared ranges, various instruments for the study of composition, temperature and velocity of the particles in the tail of the object, as well asdetermine its orbit, gravity and other features.All the equipment necessary for obtaining data on the comet, and finding the optimal place for landing apparatus "Fila".
probe "Rosetta": the trajectory of
Before you reach the goal, the unit for ten years, traveled across the expanses of the solar system.Such a large time period due to the need to approach the comet "rear" to equalize the speed and moving in the same path.In ten years, the satellite "Rosetta" five times flew past our planet.He had time to meet with Mars, and several times to cross the main asteroid belt.
All ten years space probe "Rosetta" sent to Earth colorful pictures of various objects.In addition to the aesthetic pleasure they are and scientific information.Scientists have new pictures of the Martian surface, which made the probe "Rosetta", photos of asteroids Steins and Lutetia.Of course, not disregarded the unit and the earth.Pictures of the probe "Rosetta" demonstrate our planet at different angles, as well as some of the atmospheric phenomena.
Convergence
Throughout flying probe "Rosetta" luck.At some point, in order to save resources, he was immersed in hibernation, where he stayed for a record 957 days.In January 2004, the mission "Rosetta" successfully continued after waking satellite.However, the hardest part was waiting for him in the future.The greatest difficulties could arise during the landing module "Fila", which is delivered to the comet probe "Rosetta".Visualize this point, prepared by the European Space Agency, has demonstrated a soft landing system, accompanied by discharging the three harpoons.They were required to be fixed on the surface of comets, the gravitational force is such that the slightest push could lead to the disappearance of the device "Fila" in open space.
Convergence generally went well, however, to release all three harpoon failed.Module "Fila" during landing twice bounced off the surface and only the third managed to land, with the remaining loose.The result of this incident was the removal of the device from the intended landing site for about a kilometer, the project participants are not able to accurately determine the point where the unit took "Fila".Clear there was only a rough landing area.
57 hours
problems at planting resulted in the penetration of the module "Fila" on almost constantly shaded surface.The main source of energy system - solar panels, which can not operate at temperatures below zero.As a result, most of the energy spent on heating of the batteries, but the amount of available sunlight was still small.Apparatus "Fila" was equipped for such situations charged battery, calculated at 64 hours.He worked, however, only 57. During this time, the heroic module "Fila", whose exact location was not even determined, transmitted to Earth a lot of information about the comet, even (supposedly) was able to drill the surface and take a sample of soil.
All this time, "Rosetta" constantly monitor the actions of the device "Fila", passed on him and on his message.Upon completion of the module to the probe started its own research activities.
form
At the end of January 2015 has been published several scientific articles, containing a description of the results of research.One of the interesting issues discussed in them - an unusual form of a comet.Outer body like a rubber duck: visually can distinguish the head, torso and neck.The study data have not yet given an answer to the question of whether the comet 67P arose as a result of a collision between two space objects, or form - a consequence of the loss of mass and severe erosion.In the first case, the event allegedly occurred at the dawn of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago, it can be proved if they find fundamental differences the two halves of the comet.Approval of the second hypothesis would cause the need to find an answer to the question of the nature of the forces that lead to such a severe erosion in the "duck neck".
Now it is known that inside a comet has a porous structure.Scientists estimate that the density of the core is less than the similar parameter of water twice.
Relief
probe "Rosetta" and the unit "Fila" gave a lot of shots on the Earth surface 67P.She was found the dunes and mountains and gorges.However, the rock comet only vaguely resemble the earth.Some of them are basically compacted dust, many - the result of the circulation of gas and dust, that is, they are closer to the dunes of the desert, rather than to the rocks.
of the hill, towering above the three meters, were named ants and considered education, characteristic of many similar space bodies.Presumably, they were formed at a time when the solar system began to form only, and are composed of dust and ice stuck together.
Origin
Research units concerned and content of water and carbon compounds.Fluctuations were detected content of these substances, coinciding with the rotation axis of the cosmic body, and with the change of seasons.Furthermore, it appears that in its composition 67P has a large number of organic compounds and is much less ice than intended to detect.
These and other data suggest that the comet, contrary to the researchers, was formed in the Kuiper Belt, located beyond the orbit of Neptune.Initially it was thought that the place of education 67P is located much closer to Jupiter.
data devices "Rosetta" and "Fila" touch and features of the comet's nucleus, its gravity and magnetosphere.A huge part of them yet to be analyzed.Regardless of the picture, which will be established after study and deliberation of all information, flight and mission "Rosetta" today is one of the most ambitious space projects implemented.Many scholars call it the third most important event after the flight of Yuri Gagarin and landing people on the moon.It should be noted that the "Rosetta" - not the last research mission, which aims to expand our knowledge about the universe.The success of the mission to the comet 67P has stimulated the development of new projects.A few of them are prepared to start in the near future.
