Rosetta Satellite Will Target Another Comet
By Staff Writer | January 15, 2003
A decision Tuesday to delay the launch of the European Space Agency‘s (ESA) Rosetta scientific satellite will require the selection of another comet for the spacecraft to target for a rendezvous.
The previous plan of landing the satellite on the surface of the Comet Wirtanen in 2012 required the launch of the spacecraft by the end of this month. A different comet will be chosen for a rendezvous in the coming months and the mission ultimately will be performed by Arianespace‘s Ariane 5 rocket, said Franco Bonacina, head of media relations at ESA. Any speculation that another launch vehicle would be chosen is unfounded, he added.