This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of
This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product European Space Agency's (ESA) Rosetta spacecraft engineering model (black). This is an exact replica (minus the solar panels) of the spacecraft used to test software and procedures before uploading to space. Rosetta was launched in March 2004 on a 10 year mission to study the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. It will rendezvous with the comet in mid 2014. It is the first mission designed to land on a comet. Rosetta is carrying instruments to map the comet's surface and probe its core, as well as the Philae lander. Philae will perform detailed analysis of the comet's surface, giving an insight into conditions during the formation of the solar system some billion years ago. Photographed in Darmstadt, Germany.
Size: 5906px × 1901px
Photo credit: © EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY/J. Mai/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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