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Omaha Steve

(99,505 posts)
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 03:12 PM Nov 2014

A timeline of comet probe's 10-year journey


http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141112/sci-comet-landing-timeline-329df196e2.html

Nov 12, 11:20 AM (ET)

DARMSTADT, Germany (AP) — The European Space Agency said it landed a spacecraft on a comet Wednesday for the first time ever. The Philae craft pulled off the audacious landing hours after it was released toward the giant ball of dust and ice by the unmanned Rosetta space probe.


The image released by the European Space Agency ESA on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 shows an artist rendering by the ATG medialab depicting lander Philae separating from Rosetta mother spaceship and descending to the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. European Space Agency said Wednesday that the landing craft separated from Rosetta probe for descent to comet 67P. (AP Photo/ESA, ATG Medialab)


The landing is the highlight of a decade-long mission to link up with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Here's a look at key moments during Rosetta's incredible trip:
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March 2, 2004: Europe's unmanned probe Rosetta takes off from Kourou, French Guiana, after a series of delays, including an abandoned January 2003 launch window because of a rocket problem.

FULL story at link.

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