View source for Rosetta (spacecraft)

{{Short description|European mission to study Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (2004–2016)}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Rosetta'' (spacecraft)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = ''Rosetta''

<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->
| image                 = Rosetta spacecraft model.png
| image_caption         = Artist's illustration of ''Rosetta''
| image_alt             = Rosetta spacecraft
| image_size            = 300px

<!--Basic details-->
| mission_type          = [[67P|Comet]] orbiter/lander
| operator              = [[European Space Agency|ESA]]
| website               = {{URL|esa.int/rosetta}}
| COSPAR_ID             = 2004-006A
| SATCAT                = 28169
| mission_duration      = {{time interval|2 Mar 2004|30 Sept 2016}}

<!--Spacecraft properties-->
| manufacturer          = [[Astrium]]
| dry_mass              = {{small|''Orbiter:''}}&nbsp;{{cvt|1230|kg|lb}}
| launch_mass           = {{small|''Combined:''}}&nbsp;{{cvt|3000|kg|lb}}<br />{{small|''Orbiter:''}}&nbsp;{{cvt|2900|kg|lb}}<br />{{small|''Lander:''}}&nbsp;{{cvt|100|kg|lb}} <ref name="Rosetta and Philae">{{Cite web |title=Rosetta and Philae |url=https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/rosetta-philae/in-depth/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618224748/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/rosetta-philae/in-depth/ |archive-date=18 June 2021 |access-date=1 December 2022 |publisher=[[NASA]] }}</ref>
| payload_mass          = {{small|''Orbiter:''}}&nbsp;{{cvt|165|kg|lb}}<br />{{small|''Lander:''}}&nbsp;{{cvt|27|kg|lb}}
| dimensions            = {{cvt|2.8|xx|2.1|xx|2|m|ft}}
| power                 = 850 watts at 3.4 [[Astronomical unit|AU]]<ref name="DLR">{{cite web |url=http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10395/584_read-386/ |title=Rosetta at a glance&nbsp;— technical data and timeline |publisher=[[German Aerospace Center]] |access-date=8 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108153040/http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10395/584_read-386/ |archive-date=8 January 2014}}</ref>

<!--Launch details-->
| launch_date           = {{start-date|2 March 2004, 07:17:51}}&nbsp;[[UTC]]<ref name="esa20040304">{{Cite web |date=4 March 2004 |title=No. 1 - Rosetta in Good Health |url=https://sci.esa.int/web/rosetta/-/34797-rosetta-status-report-no-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425113255/https://sci.esa.int/web/rosetta/-/34797-rosetta-status-report-no-1 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |access-date=7 October 2016 |series=Status Reports |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref>
| launch_rocket         = [[Ariane 5]]G+ V-158
| launch_site           = [[Guiana Space Centre|Kourou]] [[ELA-3]]
| launch_contractor     = [[Arianespace]]

<!-- End of mission -->
| disposal_type         = Deorbited
| last_contact          = {{end-date|30 September 2016, 10:39:28}}&nbsp;[[UTC]]&nbsp;[[Spacecraft Event Time|SCET]]
| landing_site          = Sais, Ma'at region<ref name="esablog20161003">{{Cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Emily |date=3 October 2016 |title=Rosetta impact site named Sais |url=https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2016/10/03/rosetta-impact-site-named-sais/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407014653/https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2016/10/03/rosetta-impact-site-named-sais/ |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=7 October 2016 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref> <br /> <small>{{time interval|6 August 2014 09:06|30 September 2016, 10:39|show=yd|sep=,}} of operations at the comet</small>

|interplanetary         =
  
{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
  |type                 = flyby
  |object               = [[Earth]]
  |arrival_date         = 4 March 2005
  |distance             = {{cvt|1954|km|mi}}
 }}
{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = flyby
   |object              = [[Mars]]
   |arrival_date        = 25 February 2007
   |distance            = {{cvt|250|km|mi}}
 }}
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
  |type                 = flyby
  |object               = [[Earth]]
  |arrival_date         = 13 November 2007
  |distance             = {{cvt|5700|km|mi}}
 }}
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = flyby
   |object              = [[2867 Šteins]]
   |arrival_date        = 5 September 2008
   |distance            = {{cvt|800|km|mi}}
 }}
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
  |type                 = flyby
  |object               = [[Earth]]
  |arrival_date         = 12 November 2009
  |distance             = {{cvt|2481|km|mi}}
 }}
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = flyby
   |object              = [[21 Lutetia]]
   |arrival_date        = 10 July 2010
   |distance            = {{cvt|3162|km|mi}}
 }}
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = orbiter
   |object              = [[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko]]
   |component           = ''Rosetta''
   |arrival_date        = 6 August 2014, 09:06&nbsp;UTC<ref name="timeline">{{Cite press release |date=5 August 2014 |title=Rosetta timeline: countdown to comet arrival |url=https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/Rosetta_timeline_countdown_to_comet_arrival |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502020104/https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/Rosetta_timeline_countdown_to_comet_arrival |archive-date=2 May 2024 |access-date=6 August 2014 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref>
   |periapsis           = {{cvt|29|km|mi}}<ref name="esa20140910"/>
   |apoapsis            = 
   |apsis               = apsis
 }}

 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
  |type                 = lander
  |object               = [[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko]]
  |component            = ''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]''
  |arrival_date         = 12 November 2014, 17:32&nbsp;UTC
  |location             = Abydos
 }}

<!--transponder parameters-->
| trans_band            = [[S band]] (low gain antenna)<br />[[X band]] (high gain antenna)
| trans_bandwidth       = from 7.8-bit/s (S band)<ref name="esaActivating">{{Cite web |date=8 March 2004 |title=No. 2&nbsp;— Activating Rosetta |url=https://sci.esa.int/web/rosetta/-/34822-rosetta-status-report-no-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422231550/https://sci.esa.int/web/rosetta/-/34822-rosetta-status-report-no-2 |archive-date=22 April 2024 |access-date=8 January 2014 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref><br />up to 91 kbit/s (X band)<ref name="redditAMA">{{Cite web |last1=Tanco |first1=Ignacio |last2=Castellini |first2=Francesco |last3=Pardo |first3=Ramon |last4=Munoz |first4=Pablo |last5=Hubault |first5=Armelle |last6=Francisco |first6=Tiago |last7=Eiblmaier |first7=Matthias |last8=Fantinati |first8=Cinzia |last9=Lommatsch |first9=Valentina |last10=Kuechemann |first10=Oliver |last11=O'Rourke |first11=Laurence |last12=Scuka |first12=Daniel |date=20 November 2014 |title=We are working on flight control and science operations for Rosetta, now orbiting comet 67P, and Philae, which landed on the comet surface last week. Ask us Anything! AMA! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2mw5ko/comment/cm8451b/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222214009/https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2mw5ko/we_are_working_on_flight_control_and_science/cm8451b/ |archive-date=22 December 2022 |access-date=21 November 2014 |website=[[Reddit]] }}</ref>

| instruments_list       = <!-- start collapsible list of instruments -->
{{Infobox spaceflight/Instruments
 | acronym1 =  Alice      | name1 = Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer
 | acronym2 = [[CONSERT]] | name2 = Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radio wave Transmission
 | acronym3 =  COSIMA     | name3 = Cometary Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer
 | acronym4 =  GIADA      | name4 = Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator
 | acronym5 =  MIDAS      | name5 = [[Micro-Imaging Dust Analysis System]]
 | acronym6 =  MIRO       | name6 = Microwave Spectrometer for the Rosetta Orbiter
 | acronym7 =  OSIRIS     | name7 = [[Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System]]
 | acronym8 =  ROSINA     | name8 = Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis
 | acronym9 =  RPC        | name9 = Rosetta Plasma Consortium
 | acronym10 = RSI        | name10 = Radio Science Investigation
 | acronym11 = VIRTIS     | name11 = Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer
}}

| insignia              = File:Rosetta insignia.png
| insignia_caption      = ESA Solar System insignia for ''Rosetta''
| insignia_alt          = Rosetta mission insignia 
| insignia_size         = 180px

| programme             = '''[[European Space Agency Science Programme#Horizon 2000|Horizon 2000]]'''
| previous_mission      = [[INTEGRAL]]
| next_mission          = [[Herschel Space Observatory|Herschel]]
}}<!-- end infobox -->

'''''Rosetta''''' was a [[space probe]] built by the [[European Space Agency]] that launched on 2 March 2004. Along with ''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]'', its lander module, ''Rosetta'' performed a detailed study of [[comet]] [[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko]] (67P).<ref name="NASA-20140630">{{Cite web |last1=Agle |first1=D. C. |last2=Brown |first2=Dwayne |last3=Bauer |first3=Markus |date=30 June 2014 |title=Rosetta's Comet Target 'Releases' Plentiful Water |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/rosettas-comet-target-releases-plentiful-water/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012184752/https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/rosettas-comet-target-releases-plentiful-water/ |archive-date=12 October 2023 |access-date=30 June 2014 |publisher=[[NASA]] / [[JPL]] |id=2014-212 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20140805">{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=5 August 2014 |title=Rosetta Spacecraft Set for Unprecedented Close Study of a Comet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/science/space/rosetta-spacecraft-set-for-unprecedented-close-study-of-a-comet.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616171908/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/science/space/rosetta-spacecraft-set-for-unprecedented-close-study-of-a-comet.html |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=5 August 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref> During its journey to the comet, the spacecraft performed [[planetary flyby|flybys]] of [[Earth]], [[Mars]], and the [[asteroid]]s [[21 Lutetia]] and [[2867 Šteins]].<ref name="philaemars20070225">{{Cite news |last1=Bibring |first1=Jean-Pierre |last2=Schwehm |first2=Gerhard |date=25 February 2007 |title=Stunning view of Rosetta skimming past Mars |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESOC/Stunning_view_of_Rosetta_skimming_past_Mars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613180315/https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESOC/Stunning_view_of_Rosetta_skimming_past_Mars |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=21 January 2014 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref><ref name="Auster2010">{{Cite journal |last1=Auster |first1=H. U. |last2=Richter |first2=I. |last3=Glassmeier |first3=K. H. |last4=Berghofer |first4=G. |last5=Carr |first5=C. M. |last6=Motschmann |first6=U. |date=July 2010 |title=Magnetic field investigations during Rosetta's 2867 Šteins flyby |journal=[[Planetary and Space Science]] |volume=58 |issue=9 |pages=1124–1128 |bibcode=2010P&SS...58.1124A |doi=10.1016/j.pss.2010.01.006 |issn=0032-0633 }}</ref><ref name="science28102011"/> It was launched as the third cornerstone mission of the ESA's [[Horizon 2000]] programme, after ''[[Solar and Heliospheric Observatory|SOHO]]''{{\}}''[[Cluster II (spacecraft)|Cluster]]'' and ''[[XMM-Newton]]''.

On 6 August 2014, the spacecraft reached the comet and performed a series of manoeuvers to eventually [[orbit]] the comet at distances of {{convert|30|to|10|km|mi|0}}.<ref name="FAQ" /> On 12 November, its lander module ''Philae'' performed the first successful landing on a comet,<ref name="skytel20141112" /> though its battery power ran out two days later.<ref name="skytel20141115" /> Communications with ''Philae'' were briefly restored in June and July 2015, but due to diminishing solar power, ''Rosetta''{{'s}} communications module with the lander was turned off on 27 July 2016.<ref name="farewellphilae">{{Cite web |last=Mignone |first=Claudia |date=26 July 2016 |title=Farewell, silent Philae |url=https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2016/07/26/farewell-silent-philae/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225002101/https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2016/07/26/farewell-silent-philae/ |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=29 July 2016 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref> On 30 September 2016, the ''Rosetta'' spacecraft ended its mission by hard-landing on the comet in its Ma'at region.<ref name="newsci20160930">{{Cite magazine |last=Aron |first=Jacob |date=30 September 2016 |title=Rosetta lands on 67P in grand finale to two year comet mission |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2107585-rosetta-lands-on-67p-in-grand-finale-to-two-year-comet-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714050932/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2107585-rosetta-lands-on-67p-in-grand-finale-to-two-year-comet-mission/ |archive-date=14 July 2024 |access-date=1 October 2016 |magazine=[[New Scientist]] }}</ref><ref name="space20160930">{{Cite news |last=Gannon |first=Megan |date=30 September 2016 |title=Goodbye, Rosetta! Spacecraft Crash-Lands on Comet in Epic Mission Finale |url=https://www.space.com/34254-rosetta-crash-lands-on-comet-mission-ends.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001174715/https://www.space.com/34254-rosetta-crash-lands-on-comet-mission-ends.html |archive-date=1 October 2024 |access-date=1 October 2016 |work=[[Space.com]] }}</ref>

The probe was named after the [[Rosetta Stone]], a [[stele]] of [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] origin featuring a [[decree]] in three scripts. The lander was named after the [[Philae obelisk]], which bears a bilingual Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription.

== Mission overview ==
[[File:67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko - Rosetta (32755885495).png|thumb|left|[[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko|Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko]] in March 2015 as imaged by ''Rosetta'', enhanced colour]]
''Rosetta'' was launched on 2 March 2004 from the [[Guiana Space Centre]] in [[Kourou]], [[French Guiana]], on an [[Ariane 5]] rocket and reached Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko on 7 May 2014.<ref name="Bauer2014">{{Cite web |last=Bauer |first=M. |date=6 August 2014 |title=Rosetta Arrives at Comet Destination |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_arrives_at_comet_destination |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928154315/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_arrives_at_comet_destination |archive-date=28 September 2024 |access-date=28 May 2017 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref> It performed a series of manoeuvres to enter orbit between then and 6 August 2014,<ref name="OCM" /> when it became the first spacecraft to orbit a comet.<ref name="Fischer2014-08-06">{{cite web |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2014/0806-fischer-rendezvous-with-a-crazy-world.html |title=Rendezvous with a crazy world |publisher=[[The Planetary Society]] |first=D. |last=Fischer |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806210446/http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2014/0806-fischer-rendezvous-with-a-crazy-world.html |archive-date=6 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bauer2014" /><ref name="Lakdawalla2014-08-15">{{cite web |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2014/08150814-finding-my-way-around-cg.html |title=Finding my way around comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko |publisher=[[The Planetary Society]] |first=Emily |last=Lakdawalla |author-link=Emily Lakdawalla |date=15 August 2014 |access-date=15 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815234826/http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2014/08150814-finding-my-way-around-cg.html |archive-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> ([[List of missions to comets|Previous missions]] had conducted successful flybys of seven other comets.)<ref name="techtimes20141014">{{Cite news |last=Algar |first=Jim |date=14 October 2014 |title=Rosetta's lander Philae snaps selfie with comet |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/17887/20141014/rosetta-s-lander-philae-snaps-selfie-with-comet.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415053635/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/17887/20141014/rosetta-s-lander-philae-snaps-selfie-with-comet.htm |archive-date=15 April 2024 |access-date=19 October 2014 |work=Tech Times }}</ref> It was one of ESA's [[List of projects of the European Space Agency#Horizon 2000 (1985)|Horizon 2000 cornerstone missions]].<ref name="NASA-201401017">{{Cite web |editor-last=Agle |editor-first=DC |editor2-last=Cook |editor2-first=Jia-Rui |editor3-last=Bauer |editor3-first=Markus |last1=Agle |first1=D. C. |last2=Cook |first2=Jia-Rui |last3=Brown |first3=Dwayne |last4=Bauer |first4=Markus |date=17 January 2014 |title=Rosetta: To Chase a Comet |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/rosetta-to-chase-a-comet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004095058/https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/rosetta-to-chase-a-comet/ |archive-date=4 October 2024 |access-date=18 January 2014 |publisher=[[NASA]] / [[JPL]] |id=2014-015 }}</ref> The spacecraft consisted of the ''Rosetta'' orbiter, which featured 12 instruments, and the ''Philae'' lander, with nine additional instruments.<ref name="ESA">{{Cite web |title=Rosetta at a glance |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241014173105/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta2 |archive-date=14 October 2024 |access-date=4 October 2010 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref> The ''Rosetta'' mission orbited Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko for 17 months and was designed to complete the most detailed study of a comet ever attempted. The spacecraft was controlled from the [[European Space Operations Centre]] (ESOC), in [[Darmstadt]], Germany.<ref name="cnn-20140121">{{Cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Michael |last2=Smith |first2=Matt |date=21 January 2014 |title=Comet-chasing probe wakes up, calls home |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/20/world/europe/rosetta-comet-probe/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209115744/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/20/world/europe/rosetta-comet-probe/index.html |archive-date=9 December 2023 |access-date=21 January 2014 |work=[[CNN]] }}</ref> The planning for the operation of the scientific payload, together with the data retrieval, calibration, archiving and distribution, was performed from the [[European Space Astronomy Centre]] (ESAC), in [[Villanueva de la Cañada]], near [[Madrid]], Spain.<ref name="ESAC2014">{{Cite web |last=Bauer |first=Markus |date=3 September 2014 |title=RSGS: The Rosetta Science Ground Segment |url=https://sci.esa.int/web/rosetta/-/43349-rsgs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823053626/https://sci.esa.int/web/rosetta/-/43349-rsgs |archive-date=23 August 2024 |access-date=20 November 2014 |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] }}</ref> It has been estimated that in the decade preceding 2014, some 2,000 people assisted in the mission in some capacity.<ref name="techrep" />

In 2007, ''Rosetta'' made a Mars [[gravity assist]] (flyby) on its way to Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko.<ref name="Mars fly-by">{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Beautiful_new_images_from_Rosetta_s_approach_to_Mars_OSIRIS_UPDATE |title=Beautiful new images from Rosetta's approach to Mars: OSIRIS Update |publisher=European Space Agency |first1=Uwe |last1=Keller |first2=Gerhard |last2=Schwehm |date=25 February 2007}}</ref> The spacecraft also performed two [[asteroid]] flybys.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Rosetta Mission: Flying Towards the Origin of the Solar System |journal=Space Science Reviews |first1=Karl-Heinz |last1=Glassmeier |first2=Hermann |last2=Boehnhardt |first3=Detlef |last3=Koschny |first4=Ekkehard |last4=Kührt |first5=Ingo |last5=Richter |volume=128 |issue=1–4 |pages=1–21 |date=February 2007 |doi=10.1007/s11214-006-9140-8 |bibcode=2007SSRv..128....1G|s2cid=119512857 }}</ref> The craft completed its flyby of asteroid [[2867 Šteins]] in September 2008 and of [[21 Lutetia]] in July 2010.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11470851 |title=Asteroid Lutetia has thick blanket of debris |work=BBC News |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=4 October 2010 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> Later, on 20 January 2014, ''Rosetta'' was taken out of a 31-month [[Hibernation (spacecraft)|hibernation mode]] as it approached Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko.<ref name="AP-20140120new">{{cite news |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140120/DABEMKSO3.html |title=Comet-chasing probe sends signal to Earth |work=Excite News |agency=Associated Press |first=Frank |last=Jordans |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202141305/http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140120/DABEMKSO3.html |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="latimes20140120">{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-rosetta-comet-probe-20140120-story.html |title=Rise and shine Rosetta! Comet-hunting spacecraft gets wake-up call |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |series=Science Now |first=Monte |last=Morin |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref>

''Rosetta''{{'s}} ''Philae'' lander successfully made the first soft landing on a [[comet nucleus]] when it touched down on Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko on 12 November 2014.<ref name="NASA-20141112-DCA">{{cite web |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-394 |title=Rosetta's 'Philae' Makes Historic First Landing on a Comet |publisher=NASA |first1=D. C. |last1=Agle |first2=Guy |last2=Webster |first3=Dwayne |last3=Brown |first4=Markus |last4=Bauer |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="NYT-20141112-KC">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/science/space/european-space-agencys-spacecraft-lands-on-comets-surface.html |title=European Space Agency's Spacecraft Lands on Comet's Surface |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Kenneth |last=Chang |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/rosetta-comet-probe-beams-back-pictures-10382846 |title=Rosetta: Comet Probe Beams Back Pictures |publisher=Sky News |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> On 5 September 2016, ESA announced that the lander was discovered by the narrow-angle camera aboard ''Rosetta'' as the orbiter made a low, {{convert|2.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} pass over the comet. The lander sits on its side wedged into a dark crevice of the comet, explaining the lack of electrical power to establish proper communication with the orbiter.<ref name="Philaefound" />

== History ==

=== Background ===
During the 1986 approach of [[Halley's Comet]], international space probes were sent to explore the comet, most prominent among them being [[European Space Agency|ESA]]'s [[Giotto (spacecraft)|''Giotto'']].<ref name="vice20160314">{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/happy-anniversary-giotto-the-probe-that-flew-by-halleys-comet-30-years-ago/ |title=Happy Anniversary Giotto, the Probe That Flew By Halley's Comet 30 Years Ago |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |series=Motherboard |first=Victoria |last=Turk |date=14 March 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> After the probes returned valuable scientific information, it became obvious that follow-ons were needed that would shed more light on cometary composition and answer new questions.<ref name="Altwegg2001">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6aQRBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1280 |chapter=The constituents of cometary nuclei |title=The Century of Space Science |publisher=Kluwer Academic |editor1-first=Johan A. M. |editor1-last=Bleeker |editor2-first=Johannes |editor2-last=Geiss |editor3-first=Martin C. E. |editor3-last=Huber |first1=Kathrin |last1=Altwegg|author1-link=Kathrin Altwegg |first2=Wesley T. Jr. |last2=Huntress |page=1280 |date=2001 |isbn=978-0-7923-7196-0}}</ref>

Both ESA and [[NASA]] started cooperatively developing new probes. The NASA project was the [[Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby]] (CRAF) mission.<ref name="Neugebauer1987">{{cite journal |title=The Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby Mission |journal=Advances in Space Research |first1=M. |last1=Neugebauer |first2=R. F. |last2=Draper |volume=7 |issue=12 |pages=201–204 |date=1987 |doi=10.1016/0273-1177(87)90218-3 |bibcode=1987AdSpR...7l.201N |hdl=2060/19930010071|hdl-access=free }}</ref> The ESA project was the follow-on Comet Nucleus Sample Return (CNSR) mission.<ref name="Schwehm1989">{{cite journal |title=Rosetta - Comet Nucleus Sample Return |journal=Advances in Space Research |first=G. H. |last=Schwehm |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=185–190 |date=1989 |doi=10.1016/0273-1177(89)90228-7 |bibcode=1989AdSpR...9f.185S}}</ref> Both missions were to share the [[Mariner Mark II]] spacecraft design, thus minimising costs. In 1992, after NASA cancelled CRAF due to budgetary limitations, ESA decided to develop a CRAF-style project on its own.<ref name="Moltenbrey2016">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bf_NCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA223 |chapter=Exploration of Small Solar System Bodies |title=Dawn of Small Worlds: Dwarf Planets, Asteroids, Comets |publisher=Springer |series=Astronomer's Universe |first=Michael |last=Moltenbrey |pages=223–224 |date=2016 |isbn=978-3-319-23002-3 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-23003-0}}</ref> By 1993 it was evident that the ambitious sample return mission was infeasible with the existing ESA budget, so the mission was redesigned and subsequently approved by the ESA, with the final flight plan resembling the cancelled CRAF mission: an asteroid flyby followed by a comet rendezvous with in-situ examination, including a lander.<ref name="Moltenbrey2016" /> After the spacecraft launch, [[Gerhard Schwehm]] was named mission manager; he retired in March 2014.<ref name="techrep">{{cite news |url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-tech-behind-the-rosetta-comet-chaser-from-3d-printing-to-solar-power-to-complex-mapping/ |title=The tech behind the Rosetta comet chaser: From 3D printing to solar power to complex mapping |work=[[TechRepublic]] |first=Lyndsey |last=Gilpin |date=14 August 2014}}</ref>

The ''Rosetta'' mission included generational team management; this allowed mission continuity over the long period of the mission and for special knowledge to be maintained and passed on to future team members. In particular, several younger scientists were brought on as principal science investigators, and regular training sessions were conducted.<ref name="FAQ" />

=== Naming ===
The probe was named after the [[Rosetta Stone]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Rosetta |url=https://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/10/17/naming-rosetta-an-interview-with-eberhard-grun/ |website=Naming Rosetta – An interview with Eberhard Grün |access-date=4 February 2022}}</ref> a [[stele]] of [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] origin featuring a [[decree]] in three scripts. The lander was named after the [[Philae obelisk]], which bears a bilingual Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription. A comparison of its hieroglyphs with those on the Rosetta Stone catalysed the deciphering of the Egyptian writing system. Similarly, it was hoped that these spacecraft would result in better understanding of comets and the early [[Solar System]].<ref name="space20140115">{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/24292-rosetta-spacecraft.html |title=Rosetta Spacecraft: To Catch a Comet |publisher=Space.com |first=Tim |last=Sharp |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="esaint20040205">{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Unlocking_the_secrets_of_the_universe_Rosetta_lander_named_Philae |title=Unlocking the secrets of the universe: Rosetta lander named Philae |publisher=European Space Agency |date=5 February 2004 |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> In a more direct analogy to its namesake, the ''Rosetta'' spacecraft also carried a micro-etched pure nickel prototype of the [[Rosetta Project|Rosetta disc]] donated by the [[Long Now Foundation]]. The disc was inscribed with 6,500 pages of language translations.<ref name="RosettaDisc">{{cite web |url=http://blog.longnow.org/02014/06/06/esas-rosetta-probe-begins-approach-of-comet-67p/ |title=ESA's Rosetta Probe begins approach of comet 67P |work=Long Now |date=6 June 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="RosettaDiscPrototype">{{cite web |url=http://rosettaproject.org/blog/02008/aug/20/very-long-term-backup/ |title=Very Long-Term Backup – The Rosetta Project |last=Kelly |first=Kevin |date=20 August 2008 |publisher=The Rosetta Project |access-date=2 January 2017}}</ref>

=== Mission firsts ===
[[File:Rosetta and Philae at comet (11206660686).jpg|thumb|upright|Illustration of ''Rosetta'' and ''Philae'' at the comet]]
The ''Rosetta'' mission achieved many historic firsts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Europe_s_comet_chaser/ |title=Europe's Comet Chaser-historic mission |publisher=European Space Agency |date=16 January 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref>

On its way to comet 67P, ''Rosetta'' passed through the main [[asteroid belt]], and made the first [[European Space Agency|European]] close encounter with several of these primitive objects. ''Rosetta'' was the first spacecraft to fly close to [[Jupiter]]'s orbit using solar cells as its main power source.<ref name="rosettafacts">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_factsheet |title=Rosetta Factsheet |publisher=European Space Agency |date=9 September 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

''Rosetta'' was the first spacecraft to orbit a [[comet nucleus]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28659783 |title=Europe's Rosetta probe goes into orbit around comet 67P |work=BBC News |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> and was the first spacecraft to fly alongside a comet as it headed towards the [[inner Solar System]]. It became the first spacecraft to examine at close proximity the activity of a frozen comet as it is warmed by the [[Sun]]. Shortly after its arrival at 67P, the ''Rosetta'' orbiter dispatched the ''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]'' lander for the first controlled touchdown on a comet nucleus. The robotic lander's instruments obtained the first images from a comet's surface and made the first ''[[in situ]]'' analysis of its composition.

=== Design and construction ===
The ''Rosetta'' [[satellite bus|bus]] was a {{convert|2.8|xx|2.1|xx|2.0|m|ft|abbr=on}} central frame and aluminium honeycomb platform. Its total mass was approximately {{convert|3000|kg|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}, which included the {{convert|100|kg|sigfig=2|adj=on|abbr=on}} ''Philae'' lander and {{convert|165|kg|abbr=on}} of science instruments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/rosetta/47366-fact-sheet/ |title=Rosetta: Fact Sheet |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> The Payload Support Module was mounted on top of the spacecraft and housed the scientific instruments, while the Bus Support Module was on the bottom and contained spacecraft support subsystems. Heaters placed around the spacecraft kept its systems warm while it was distant from the Sun. ''Rosetta''{{'s}} communications suite included a {{convert|2.2|m|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} steerable high-gain parabolic dish antenna, a {{convert|0.8|m|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} fixed-position medium-gain antenna, and two omnidirectional low-gain antennas.<ref name="nssdc-craft">{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2004-006A |title=Rosetta |work=[[National Space Science Data Center]] |publisher=NASA |access-date=3 November 2014}}</ref>

Electrical power for the spacecraft came from two solar arrays totalling {{convert|64|m2}}.<ref name="ESA-RO">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/The_Rosetta_orbiter |title=The Rosetta orbiter |publisher=European Space Agency |date=16 January 2014 |access-date=13 August 2014}}</ref> Each solar array was subdivided into five solar panels, with each panel being {{convert|2.25|xx|2.736|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}. The individual solar cells were made of silicon, 200 μm thick, and {{convert|61.95|xx|37.75|mm|2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="DAccolti2002">{{cite conference|title=The Solar Array Photovoltaic Assembly for the ROSETTA Orbiter and Lander Spacecraft's |conference=6th European Space Power Conference. 6–10 May 2002. Porto, Portugal. |first1=G. |last1=D'Accolti |first2=G. |last2=Beltrame |first3=E. |last3=Ferrando |first4=L. |last4=Brambilla |first5=R. |last5=Contini |first6=L. |last6=Vallini |first7=R. |last7=Mugnuolo |first8=C. |last8=Signorini |first9=H. |last9=Fiebrich |first10=A. |last10=Caon |display-authors=5 |year=2002 |bibcode=2002ESASP.502..445D}}</ref> The solar arrays generated a maximum of approximately 1,500 watts at [[perihelion]],<ref name="DAccolti2002"/> a minimum of 400 watts in hibernation mode at 5.2 AU, and 850 watts when comet operations begin at 3.4 AU.<ref name="nssdc-craft"/> Spacecraft power was controlled by a redundant [[Terma A/S|Terma]] power module also used in the ''[[Mars Express]]'' spacecraft,<ref name="Ingenioren20140119">{{cite news |url=http://ing.dk/artikel/terma-elektronik-vaekker-rumsonde-fra-aarelang-dvale-165600 |title=Terma-elektronik vækker rumsonde fra årelang dvale |work=[[Ingeniøren]] |first=Mie |last=Stage |date=19 January 2014 |access-date=2 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Jensen2002">{{cite conference |title=Power Conditioning Unit for Rosetta/Mars Express |conference=6th European Space Power Conference. 6–10 May 2002. Porto, Portugal. |first1=Hans |last1=Jensen |first2=Johnny |last2=Laursen |year=2002 |bibcode=2002ESASP.502..249J}}</ref> and was stored in four 10-[[ampere hour|A·h]] [Li-ion] batteries supplying 28 volts to the bus.<ref name="nssdc-craft"/>

Main propulsion comprised 24 paired bipropellant 10&nbsp;[[Newton (unit)|N]] thrusters,<ref name="ESA-RO" /> with four pairs of thrusters being used for [[delta-v|delta-''v'']] burns. The spacecraft carried {{convert|1719.1|kg|abbr=on}} of propellant at launch: {{convert|659.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of [[monomethylhydrazine]] fuel and {{convert|1059.5|kg|abbr=on}} of [[dinitrogen tetroxide]] oxidiser, contained in two {{convert|1108|L|adj=on}} [[Ti6Al4V|grade 5 titanium alloy]] tanks and providing delta-''v'' of at least {{convert|2300|m/s}} over the course of the mission. Propellant pressurisation was provided by two {{convert|68|L|adj=on}} high-pressure helium tanks.<ref name="Stram2004">{{cite conference|title=The Rosetta Propulsion System |conference=4th International Spacecraft Propulsion Conference. 2–9 June 2004. Sardinia, Italy. |first=D. |last=Stramaccioni |year=2004 |bibcode=2004ESASP.555E...3S}}</ref>

''Rosetta'' was built in a [[cleanroom|clean room]] according to [[COSPAR]] rules, but "[[Sterilization (microbiology)|sterilisation]] {{interp|was}} generally not crucial since comets are usually regarded as objects where you can find [[Abiogenesis|prebiotic]] [[molecule]]s, that is, molecules that are precursors of life, but not living [[microorganism]]s", according to Gerhard Schwehm, ''Rosetta''{{'s}} project scientist.<ref name="esa20020730">{{cite news |url=http://sci.esa.int/home/30313-no-bugs-please-this-is-a-clean-planet/ |title=No bugs please, this is a clean planet! |publisher=European Space Agency |date=30 July 2002 |access-date=7 March 2007}}</ref> The total cost of the mission was about €1.3&nbsp;billion (US$1.8&nbsp;billion).<ref name="nature20140717">{{cite news |url=http://www.nature.com/news/duck-shaped-comet-could-make-rosetta-landing-more-difficult-1.15579 |title=Duck-shaped comet could make Rosetta landing more difficult |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Elizabeth |last=Gibney |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014 |doi=10.1038/nature.2014.15579}}</ref>

=== Launch ===
[[File:Animation of Rosetta trajectory.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|Animation of ''Rosetta''{{'s}} trajectory from 2 March 2004 to 9 September 2016 <br/> {{legend2|magenta|''Rosetta''}}{{·}}{{legend2|lime|[[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko]]}}{{·}}{{legend2|Royalblue|[[Earth]]}}{{·}}{{legend2|maroon|[[Mars]]}}{{·}}{{legend2|Cyan|[[21 Lutetia]]}}{{·}}{{legend2|Gold|[[2867 Šteins]]}}]]
[[File:Rosetta 111106.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Trajectory of the ''Rosetta'' space probe]]
''Rosetta'' was set to be launched on 12 January 2003 to rendezvous with the comet [[46P/Wirtanen]] in 2011.<ref name="Altwegg2001" /> This plan was abandoned after the failure of an [[Ariane 5 ECA]] carrier rocket during [[Hot Bird 7]]'s launch on 11 December 2002, grounding it until the cause of the failure could be determined.<ref name="Harland2006">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eszSE5VGvuMC&pg=PA149 |chapter=The Current Crop |title=Space Systems Failures |publisher=Springer-Praxis |first1=David M. |last1=Harland |first2=Ralph D. |last2=Lorenz |pages=149–150 |date=2006 |isbn=978-0-387-21519-8}}</ref> In May 2003, a new plan was formed to target the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, with a revised launch date of 26 February 2004 and comet rendezvous in 2014.<ref name="esa20030529">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/New_destination_for_Rosetta_Europe_s_comet_chaser |title=New destination for Rosetta, Europe's comet chaser |publisher=European Space Agency |date=29 May 2003 |access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="nature20030522">{{cite journal |title=Spiralling costs dog comet mission |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Declan |last=Butler |volume=423 |issue=6938 |page=372 |date=22 May 2003 |doi=10.1038/423372b |pmid=12761511 |bibcode=2003Natur.423..372B|doi-access=free }}</ref> The larger mass and the resulting increased impact velocity made modification of the landing gear necessary.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Rosetta Lander—Philae: Implications of an alternative mission |journal=Acta Astronautica |first1=S. |last1=Ulamec |first2=S. |last2=Espinasse |first3=B. |last3=Feuerbacher |first4=M. |last4=Hilchenbach |first5=D. |last5=Moura |first6=H. |last6=Rosenbauer |first7=H. |last7=Scheuerle |first8=R. |last8=Willnecker |display-authors=5 |volume=58 |issue=8 |pages=435–441 |date=April 2006 |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2005.12.009 |bibcode=2006AcAau..58..435U}}</ref>

After two scrubbed launch attempts, ''Rosetta'' was launched on 2 March 2004 at 07:17&nbsp;[[UTC]] from the [[Guiana Space Centre]] in French Guiana, using [[Ariane 5 G+]] carrier rocket.<ref name="esa20040304" /> Aside from the changes made to launch time and target, the mission profile remained almost identical. Both co-discoverers of the comet, [[Klim Churyumov]] and [[Svetlana Gerasimenko]], were present at the spaceport during the launch.<ref name="esa54156">{{cite web |url=http://sci.esa.int/rosetta/54156-svetlana-gerasimenko-and-klim-churyumov-in-kourou/ |title=Svetlana Gerasimenko and Klim Churyumov in Kourou |series=Rosetta |publisher=European Space Agency |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="esa54598">{{cite web |url=http://sci.esa.int/rosetta/54598-klim-churyumov/ |title=Klim Churyumov – co-discoverer of comet 67P |series=Rosetta |publisher=European Space Agency |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref>

=== Deep space manoeuvres ===
To achieve the required velocity to rendezvous with 67P, ''Rosetta'' used [[gravity assist]] manoeuvres to accelerate throughout the inner Solar System.<ref name="FAQ">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Frequently_asked_questions |title=Rosetta's Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> The comet's orbit was known before ''Rosetta''{{'s}} launch, from ground-based measurements, to an accuracy of approximately {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}}. Information gathered by the onboard cameras beginning at a distance of {{convert|24|e6km|mi}} were processed at ESA's Operation Centre to refine the position of the comet in its orbit to a few kilometres.{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}}

The first [[Earth]] flyby was on 4 March 2005.<ref name="Montagnon2006" />

On 25 February 2007, the craft was scheduled for a low-altitude flyby of [[Mars]], to correct the trajectory. This was not without risk, as the estimated altitude of the flyby was a mere {{convert|250|km}}.<ref name="eoportal">{{cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/r/rosetta |title=Rosetta Rendezvous Mission with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko |work=eoPortal |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> During that encounter, the solar panels could not be used since the craft was in the planet's shadow, where it would not receive any solar light for 15 minutes, causing a dangerous shortage of power. The craft was therefore put into standby mode, with no possibility to communicate, flying on batteries that were originally not designed for this task.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta_correctly_lined_up_for_critical_Mars_swingby |title=Rosetta correctly lined up for critical Mars swingby |publisher=European Space Agency |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> This Mars manoeuvre was therefore nicknamed "The Billion Euro Gamble".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.physorg.com/news91439922.html |title=Europe set for billion-euro gamble with comet-chasing probe |publisher=[[Phys.org]] |date=23 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225091756/http://www.physorg.com/news91439922.html |archive-date=25 February 2007}}</ref> The flyby was successful, with ''Rosetta'' even returning detailed images of the surface and atmosphere of the planet, and the mission continued as planned.<ref name="philaemars20070225"/><ref name="Mars fly-by" />

The second Earth flyby was on 13 November 2007 at a distance of {{convert|5700|km|mi||abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mps.mpg.de/en/aktuelles/pressenotizen/pressenotiz_20071115.html |title=First OSIRIS images from Rosetta Earth swing-by |publisher=Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research |first1=Horst Uwe |last1=Keller |first2=Holger |last2=Sierks |date=15 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307051929/http://www.mps.mpg.de/en/aktuelles/pressenotizen/pressenotiz_20071115.html |archive-date=7 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2007/1216.html |title=Science plans for Rosetta's Earth flyby |publisher=The Planetary Society |first=Emily |last=Lakdawalla |date=2 November 2007 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> In observations made on 7 and 8 November, ''Rosetta'' was briefly mistaken for a [[near-Earth object|near-Earth asteroid]] about {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter by an astronomer of the [[Catalina Sky Survey]] and was given the [[provisional designation in astronomy|provisional designation]] {{mp|2007 VN|84}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=M.P.E.C. 2007-V69 |url=http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/mpec/K07/K07V69.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120523234959/http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/mpec/K07/K07V69.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 May 2012 |publisher=Minor Planet Center |access-date=6 October 2015}}</ref> Calculations showed that it would pass very close to Earth, which led to speculation that it could impact Earth.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skymania.com/wp/deadly-asteroid-is-spaceprobe/ |title='Deadly asteroid' is a spaceprobe |work=Skymania |first=Paul |last=Sutherland |date=10 November 2007 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> However, astronomer [[Denis Denisenko]] recognised that the trajectory matched that of ''Rosetta'', which the [[Minor Planet Center]] confirmed in an editorial release on 9 November.<ref name="planetary-misidentification">{{cite web |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2007/1227.html |title=That's no near-Earth object, it's a spaceship! |publisher=The Planetary Society |first=Emily |last=Lakdawalla |date=9 November 2007 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="mpec20071109">{{cite web |url=http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/mpec/K07/K07V70.html |title=MPEC 2007-V70: Editorial Notice |work=Minor Planet Electronic Circular |publisher=[[Minor Planet Center]] |first=A. U. |last=Tomatic |date=9 November 2007 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref>

The spacecraft performed a close flyby of asteroid [[2867 Šteins]] on 5 September 2008. Its onboard cameras were used to fine-tune the trajectory, achieving a minimum separation of less than {{convert|800|km|abbr=on}}. Onboard instruments measured the asteroid from 4 August to 10 September. Maximum relative speed between the two objects during the flyby was {{convert|8.6|km/s|mph km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal|title=First Asteroid |journal=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]] |volume=169 |issue=10 |page=18 |date=15 September 2008}}</ref>

''Rosetta''{{'s}} third and final flyby of Earth happened on 12 November 2009 at a distance of {{convert|2481|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8355873.stm |title=Rosetta makes final home call |work=BBC News |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=22 May 2010}}</ref>

On 10 July 2010, ''Rosetta'' flew by [[21 Lutetia]], a large [[asteroid belt|main-belt]] [[asteroid]], at a minimum distance of {{val|3168|7.5|fmt=commas}}&nbsp;km ({{val|1969|4.7|fmt=commas}}&nbsp;mi) at a velocity of {{convert|15|km/s|mi/s}}.<ref name="science28102011">{{cite journal|title=Asteroid 21 Lutetia: Low Mass, High Density |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |first1=M. |last1=Pätzold |first2=T. P. |last2=Andert |first3=S. W. |last3=Asmar |first4=J. D. |last4=Anderson |first5=J.-P. |last5=Barriot |first6=M. K. |last6=Bird |first7=B. |last7=Häusler |first8=M. |last8=Hahn |first9=S. |last9=Tellmann |first10=H. |last10=Sierks |first11=P. |last11=Lamy |first12=B. P. |last12=Weiss |display-authors=5 |volume=334 |issue=6055 |pages=491–492 |date=October 2011 |bibcode=2011Sci...334..491P |doi=10.1126/science.1209389 |pmid=22034429 |url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/103947/1/Paetzold_2011_open_access.pdf |hdl=1721.1/103947|s2cid=41883019 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> The flyby provided images of up to {{convert|60|m|ft}} per pixel resolution and covered about 50% of the surface, mostly in the northern hemisphere.<ref name=BBC/><ref name="Sierks2011">{{cite journal|title=Images of Asteroid 21 Lutetia: A Remnant Planetesimal from the Early Solar System |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |first1=H. |last1=Sierks |first2=P. |last2=Lamy |first3=C. |last3=Barbieri |first4=D. |last4=Koschny |first5=H. |last5=Rickman |first6=R. |last6=Rodrigo |first7=M. F. |last7=A'Hearn |first8=F. |last8=Angrilli |first9=M. A. |last9=Barucci |first10=J.-L. |last10=Bertaux |first11=I. |last11=Bertini |first12=S. |last12=Besse |first13=B. |last13=Carry |first14=G. |last14=Cremonese |first15=V. |last15=Da Deppo |first16=B. |last16=Davidsson |first17=S. |last17=Debei |first18=M. |last18=De Cecco |first19=J. |last19=De Leon |first20=F. |last20=Ferri |first21=S. |last21=Fornasier |first22=M. |last22=Fulle |first23=S. F. |last23=Hviid |first24=R. W. |last24=Gaskell |first25=O. |last25=Groussin |first26=P. |last26=Gutierrez |first27=W. |last27=Ip |first28=L. |last28=Jorda |first29=M. |last29=Kaasalainen |first30=H. U. |last30=Keller |first31=J. |last31=Knollenberg |first32=R. |last32=Kramm |first33=E. |last33=Kührt |first34=M. |last34=Küppers |first35=L. |last35=Lara |first36=M. |last36=Lazzarin |first37=C. |last37=Leyrat |first38=J. J. Lopez |last38=Moreno |first39=S. |last39=Magrin |first40=S. |last40=Marchi |first41=F. |last41=Marzari |first42=M. |last42=Massironi |first43=H. |last43=Michalik |first44=R. |last44=Moissl |first45=G. |last45=Naletto |first46=F. |last46=Preusker |first47=L. |last47=Sabau |first48=W. |last48=Sabolo |first49=F. |last49=Scholten |first50=C. |last50=Snodgrass |first51=N. |last51=Thomas |first52=C. |last52=Tubiana |first53=P. |last53=Vernazza |first54=J.-B. |last54=Vincent |first55=K.-P. |last55=Wenzel |first56=T. |last56=Andert |first57=M. |last57=Pätzold |first58=B. P. |last58=Weiss |display-authors=5 |volume=334 |issue=6055 |pages=487–90 |date=October 2011 |bibcode=2011Sci...334..487S |doi=10.1126/science.1207325 |pmid=22034428 |hdl=1721.1/110553|s2cid=17580478 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> The 462 images were obtained in 21 narrow- and broad-band filters extending from 0.24 to 1&nbsp;μm.<ref name=BBC/> Lutetia was also observed by the visible–near-infrared imaging spectrometer VIRTIS, and measurements of the magnetic field and plasma environment were taken as well.<ref name=BBC/><ref name=Sierks2011/>

[[File:Signal received from Rosetta (12055070794).jpg|thumb|left|''Rosetta''{{'s}} signal received at [[European Space Operations Centre|ESOC]] in [[Darmstadt]], Germany, on 20 January 2014]]
[[File:Crescent Earth from Rosetta.jpg|thumb|Earth from ''Rosetta'' during final flyby]]

After leaving its hibernation mode in January 2014 and getting closer to the comet, ''Rosetta'' began a series of eight burns in May 2014. These reduced the relative velocity between the spacecraft and 67P from {{convert|775|to|7.9|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name="OCM" />

=== Reaction control system problems ===
In 2006, ''Rosetta'' suffered a leak in its [[reaction control system]] (RCS).<ref name="FAQ" /> The system, which consists of 24 [[bipropellant]] 10-[[newton (unit)|newton]] thrusters,<ref name="OCM" /> was responsible for fine tuning the trajectory of ''Rosetta'' throughout its journey. The RCS operated at a lower pressure than designed due to the leak. While this may have caused the propellants to mix incompletely and burn 'dirtier' and less efficiently, ESA engineers were confident that the spacecraft would have sufficient fuel reserves to allow for the successful completion of the mission.<ref name="bbc20140521">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27498534 |title=Rosetta comet-chaser initiates 'big burn' |work=BBC News |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=21 May 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref>

Prior to ''Rosetta''{{'s}} deep space hibernation period, two of the spacecraft's four [[reaction wheel]]s began exhibiting increased levels of "bearing friction noise". Increased friction levels in Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA)&nbsp;B were noted after its September 2008 encounter with asteroid Šteins. Two attempts were made to relubricate the RWA using an on-board oil reservoir, but in each case noise levels were only temporarily lowered, and the RWA was turned off in mid-2010 after the flyby of asteroid Lutetia to avoid possible failure. Shortly after this, RWA&nbsp;C also began showing evidence of elevated friction. Relubrication was also performed on this RWA, and methods were found to temporarily increase its operating temperature to better improve the transfer of oil from its reservoir. In addition, the reaction wheel's speed range was decreased to limit lifetime accumulated rotations. These changes resulted in RWA&nbsp;C{{'s}} performance stabilising.<ref name="McMahon2017">{{cite conference |url=http://esmats.eu/esmatspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2017/mcmahon.pdf |title=Inorbit Maintenance of the Rosetta Reaction Wheels (RWAs) |conference=European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium. 20–22 September 2017. Hatfield, United Kingdom. |first1=Paul |last1=McMahon |first2=Rene |last2=Seiler |first3=Andrea |last3=Accomazzo |first4=Sylvain |last4=Lodiot |first5=Patrick |last5=Van Put |first6=Roberto |last6=Port |display-authors=1 |date=2017}}</ref>

During the spacecraft's Deep Space Hibernation flight phase, engineers performed ground testing on a flight spare RWA at the [[European Space Operations Centre]]. After ''Rosetta'' exited hibernation in January 2014, lessons learned from the ground testing were applied to all four RWAs, such as increasing their operating temperatures and limiting their wheel speeds to below 1000&nbsp;rpm. After these fixes, the RWAs showed nearly identical performance data.<ref name="McMahon2017" /> Three RWAs were kept operational, while one of the malfunctioning RWAs was held in reserve. Additionally, new on-board software was developed to allow ''Rosetta'' to operate with only two active RWAs if necessary.<ref name="FAQ" /><ref name="sfnow20140129">{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/rosetta/140129update/ |title=ESA says Rosetta in good shape after 31-month snooze |work=Spaceflight Now |first=Stephen |last=Clark |date=29 January 2014 |access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> These changes allowed the four RWAs to operate throughout ''Rosetta''{{'s}} mission at 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko despite occasional anomalies in their friction plots and a heavy workload imposed by numerous orbital changes.<ref name="McMahon2017" />

=== Orbit around 67P ===
[[File:Animation of Rosetta trajectory around 67P.gif|thumb|Animation of ''Rosetta''{{'s}} trajectory around 67P from 1 August 2014 to 31 March 2015 <br/> {{legend2|magenta|''Rosetta''}}{{·}}{{legend2|lime|[[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko|67P]]}}]]
In August 2014, ''Rosetta'' rendezvoused with the comet [[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko]] (67P) and commenced a series of manoeuvres that took it on two successive triangular paths, averaging {{convert|100|and|50|km}} from the nucleus, whose segments are [[Hyperbolic trajectory|hyperbolic escape trajectories]] alternating with thruster burns.<ref name="Fischer2014-08-06" /><ref name="Bauer2014" /> After closing to within about {{convert|30|km|abbr=on}} from the comet on 10 September, the spacecraft entered actual [[orbit]] about it.<ref name="Fischer2014-08-06" /><ref name="Bauer2014" /><ref name="Lakdawalla2014-08-15" />{{update after|2014|11|12}}<!-- if it is now in an actual orbit, depending on the micro-gravity of the small comet, what is its orbital period? and what is the current/settled periapsis and apoapsis? -->

The surface layout of 67P was unknown before ''Rosetta''{{'s}} arrival. The orbiter mapped the comet in anticipation of detaching its lander.<ref name="esablog230714">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/07/23/last-of-the-fatties/ |title=Last of the FATties |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Daniel |last=Scuka |date=23 July 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> By 25 August 2014, five potential landing sites had been determined.<ref name="NASA-20140825">{{cite web |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-289 |title=Rosetta: Landing site search narrows |work=[[NASA]] |last1=Agle |first1=D. C. |last2=Brown |first2=Dwayne |last3=Bauer |first3=Markus |date=25 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> On 15 September 2014, ESA announced Site&nbsp;J, named ''Agilkia'' in honour of [[Agilkia Island]] by an ESA public contest and located on the "head" of the comet,<ref name="bbcnews20141104">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29902456 |title=Rosetta comet mission: Landing site named 'Agilkia' |work=BBC News |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=4 November 2014 |access-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> as the lander's destination.<ref name="esa20140915">{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/J_marks_the_spot_for_Rosetta_s_lander |title='J' Marks the Spot for Rosetta's Lander |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Markus |last=Bauer |date=15 September 2014 |access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>

=== ''Philae'' lander ===
{{Main|Philae (spacecraft)}}
[[File:Rosetta and Philae (crop).jpg|thumb|''Rosetta'' and ''Philae'']]
''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]'' detached from ''Rosetta'' on 12 November 2014 at 08:35 UTC, and approached 67P at a relative speed of about {{convert|1|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/space/11225469/Rosetta-mission-broken-thrusters-mean-probe-could-bounce-off-comet-into-space.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/space/11225469/Rosetta-mission-broken-thrusters-mean-probe-could-bounce-off-comet-into-space.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rosetta mission: broken thrusters mean probe could bounce off comet into space |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first1=Sarah |last1=Knapton |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It initially landed on 67P at 15:33 UTC, but bounced twice, coming to rest at 17:33 UTC.<ref name="skytel20141112">{{cite news |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/philae-lands-three-times-111220143/ |title=Philae Lands on Its Comet – Three Times! |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=Kelly |last=Beatty |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=26 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="indy20141113">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/philae-lander-bounced-twice-on-comet-and-may-still-not-be-stable-rosetta-mission-scientists-warn-9857551.html |title=Philae lander 'bounced twice' on comet but is now stable, Rosetta mission scientists confirm |work=[[The Independent]] |first1=Adam |last1=Withnall |first2=James |last2=Vincent |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=26 November 2014}}</ref> Confirmation of contact with 67P reached Earth at 16:03 UTC.<ref name="sfnow20141113">{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/11/13/rosetta-camera-captures-philaes-descent-to-the-comet/ |title=Rosetta camera captures Philae's descent to the comet |work=Spaceflight Now |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=26 November 2014}}</ref>

On contact with the surface, two [[harpoon]]s were to be fired into the comet to prevent the lander from bouncing off, as the comet's escape velocity is only around {{convert|1|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="mpg20140121">{{cite news|url=http://www.mpg.de/8323012/expedition_primeval_matter |title=Expedition to primeval matter |publisher=Max-Planck-Gesellschaft |first=Thorsten |last=Dambeck |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> Analysis of telemetry indicated that the surface at the initial touchdown site is relatively soft, covered with a layer of granular material about {{convert|0.82|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} deep,<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall |first=Mike |url=http://www.space.com/30100-comet-landing-discoveries-rosetta-philae-lander.html |title=Surprising Comet Discoveries by Rosetta's Philae Lander Unveiled |work=Space.com |date=30 July 2015 |access-date=31 July 2015}}</ref> and that the harpoons had not fired upon landing. After landing on the comet, ''Philae'' had been scheduled to commence its science mission, which included:
* Characterisation of the nucleus
* Determination of the chemical compounds present, including amino acid [[enantiomer]]s<ref name="Meierhenrich2008book">{{cite book |title=Amino Acids and the Asymmetry of Life |publisher=Springer-Verlag |first=Uwe |last=Meierhenrich |author-link=Uwe Meierhenrich |year=2008 |isbn=978-3-540-76885-2 |doi=10.1007/978-3-540-76886-9 |series=Advances in Astrobiology and Biogeophysics|bibcode=2008aaal.book.....M }}</ref>
* Study of comet activities and developments over time

After bouncing, ''Philae'' settled in the shadow of a cliff,<ref name="Philaefound" /> canted at an angle of around 30 degrees. This made it unable to adequately collect solar power, and it lost contact with ''Rosetta'' when its batteries ran out after three days, well before much of the planned science objectives could be attempted.<ref name="Philaefound" /><ref name="skytel20141115">{{cite news |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/philae-lander-success-11152014/ |title=Philae Wins Race to Return Comet Findings |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=Kelly |last=Beatty |date=15 November 2014 |access-date=2 November 2015}}</ref> Contact was briefly and intermittently reestablished several months later at various times between 13 June and 9 July, before contact was lost once again. There was no communication afterwards,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_s_lander_faces_eternal_hibernation |title=Rosetta's Lander Faces Eternal Hibernation |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Markus |last=Bauer |date=12 February 2016 |access-date=14 February 2016}}</ref> and the transmitter to communicate with ''Philae'' was switched off in July 2016 to reduce power consumption of the probe.<ref name="farewellphilae" /> The precise location of the lander was discovered in September 2016 when ''Rosetta'' came closer to the comet and took high-resolution pictures of its surface.<ref name="Philaefound">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Philae_found |title=Philae found! |publisher=European Space Agency |date=5 September 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> Knowing its exact location provides information needed to put Philae's two days of science into proper context.<ref name="Philaefound"/>

=== Notable results ===
[[File:Comet 67P on 31 January 2015 - NAVCAM.jpg|thumb|The comet in January 2015 as seen by ''Rosetta''{{'s}} NAVCAM]]
Researchers expect the study of data gathered will continue for decades to come. One of the first discoveries was that the magnetic field of 67P oscillated at 40–50 [[millihertz]]. A German composer and sound designer created an artistic rendition from the measured data to make it audible.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/12/19/behind-the-scenes-of-the-singing-comet/ |title=Behind the scenes of 'The Singing Comet' |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Claudia |last=Mignone |date=19 December 2014 |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> Although it is a natural phenomenon, it has been described as a "song"<ref name="smithsonian20141112">{{cite news |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/comet-has-welcome-song-rosetta-and-philae-180953303/?no-ist |title=Comet 67P Has a Welcome Song for Rosetta And Philae |publisher=Smithsonian.com |series=Smart News |first=Marissa |last=Fessenden |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=26 December 2014}}</ref> and has been compared to [[Continuum (Ligeti)|''Continuum'' for harpsichord]] by [[György Ligeti]].<ref name="classicfm20141114">{{cite news |url=http://www.classicfm.com/discover/music/singing-comet-67p-philae/ |title=Music emitted from Comet 67P sounds an awful lot like 20th-century harpsichord masterpiece |work=Classic FM |first=Tim |last=Edwards |date=14 November 2014 |access-date=26 December 2014}}</ref> However, results from ''Philae''{{'s}} landing show that the comet's nucleus has no magnetic field, and that the field originally detected by ''Rosetta'' is likely caused by the [[solar wind]].<ref name="esa20150414">{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_and_Philae_find_comet_not_magnetised |title=Rosetta and Philae Find Comet Not Magnetised |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Markus |last=Bauer |date=14 April 2015 |access-date=14 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="nature20150414">{{cite journal |title=Rosetta's comet has no magnetic field |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Quirin |last=Schiermeier |date=14 April 2015 |doi=10.1038/nature.2015.17327|s2cid=123964604 }}</ref>

The [[isotopic signature]] of water vapour from comet 67P, as determined by the ''Rosetta'' spacecraft, is substantially different from that found on Earth. That is, the ratio of [[deuterium]] to [[hydrogen]] in the water from the comet was determined to be three times that found for terrestrial water. This makes it very unlikely that water found on Earth came from comets such as comet 67P, according to the scientists.<ref name="NASA-20141210-DCA">{{cite web |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-423 |title=Rosetta Instrument Reignites Debate on Earth's Oceans |publisher=NASA |last1=Agle |first1=D.C. |last2=Bauer |first2=Markus |date=10 December 2014 |access-date=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="NYT-20141210-KC">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/science/rosetta-mission-data-rules-out-comets-as-a-source-for-earths-water.html |title=Comet Data Clears Up Debate on Earth's Water |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=10 December 2014 |access-date=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBC-20141211">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30414519 |title=Rosetta results: Comets 'did not bring water to Earth' |work=BBC News |last=Morelle |first=Rebecca |author-link=Rebecca Morelle |date=10 December 2014 |access-date=11 December 2014}}</ref> On 22 January 2015, NASA reported that, between June and August 2014, the rate at which water vapour was released by the comet increased up to tenfold.<ref name="NASA-20150122">{{cite web |last1=Agle |first1=D. C. |last2=Brown |first2=Dwayne |last3=Bauer |first3=Markus |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2015-029 |title=Rosetta Comet 'Pouring' More Water Into Space |publisher=NASA |date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015}}</ref> <!--Please mine the article for actual information: On 23 January 2015, the journal ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'' published a special issue of scientific studies related to the comet.<ref name="SCI-20150123">{{cite journal |url=https://www.science.org/toc/science/347/6220 |title=Catching a Comet |series=Special Issue. |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume=347 |issue=6220 |date=23 January 2015 |access-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> -->

On 2 June 2015, NASA reported that the [[#Instruments|Alice spectrograph]] on ''Rosetta'' determined that [[electron]]s within {{convert|1|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} above the comet nucleus&nbsp;— produced from photoionization of water [[molecule]]s, and not direct [[photon]]s from the Sun as thought earlier&nbsp;— are responsible for the degradation of water and [[carbon dioxide]] molecules released from the comet nucleus into its [[coma (cometary)|coma]].<ref name="NASA-20150602">{{cite news|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4609 |title=NASA Instrument on Rosetta Makes Comet Atmosphere Discovery |publisher=NASA |last1=Agle |first1=D. C. |last2=Brown |first2=Dwayne |last3=Fohn |first3=Joe |last4=Bauer |first4=Markus |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="AA-20150602">{{cite journal |title=Measurements of the near-nucleus coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the Alice far-ultraviolet spectrograph on Rosetta |journal=[[Astronomy and Astrophysics]] |volume=583 |at=A8 |last1=Feldman |first1=Paul D. |last2=A'Hearn |first2=Michael F. |last3=Bertaux |first3=Jean-Loup |last4=Feaga |first4=Lori M. |last5=Parker |first5=Joel Wm. |last6=Schindhelm |first6=Eric |last7=Steiffl |first7=Andrew J. |last8=Stern |first8=S. Alan |last9=Weaver |first9=Harold A. |last10=Sierks |first10=Holger |last11=Vincent |first11=Jean-Baptiste |display-authors=5 |date=2 June 2015 |doi=10.1051/0004-6361/201525925 |bibcode=2015A&A...583A...8F |arxiv=1506.01203|s2cid=119104807}}</ref>

=== End of mission ===
[[File:Rosetta rendezvous with a comet.jpg|thumb|''Rosetta'' rendezvous with a comet]]
As the orbit of comet 67P took it farther from the Sun, the amount of sunlight reaching ''Rosetta''{{'s}} solar panels decreased. While it would have been possible to put ''Rosetta'' into a second hibernation phase during the comet's aphelion, there was no assurance that enough power would be available to run the spacecraft's heaters to keep it from freezing. To guarantee a maximum science return, mission managers made the decision to instead guide ''Rosetta'' down to the comet's surface and end the mission on impact, gathering photographs and instrument readings along the way.<ref name="esa20160630">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_finale_set_for_30_September |title=Rosetta finale set for 30 September |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Markus |last=Bauer |date=30 June 2016 |access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> On 23 June 2015, at the same time as a mission extension was confirmed, ESA announced that end of mission would occur at the end of September 2016 after two years of operations at the comet.<ref name="esa20150623">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_mission_extended |title=Rosetta mission extended |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Markus |last=Bauer |date=23 June 2015 |access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref>

{{blockquote|All stations and the briefing room, we've just had loss of signal at the expected time. This is another outstanding performance by flight dynamics. So we'll be listening for the signal from Rosetta for another 24 hours, but we don't expect any. This is the end of the Rosetta mission. Thank you, and goodbye.<br/>{{emdash}}Sylvain Lodiot, ''Rosetta'' Spacecraft Operations Manager, [[European Space Operations Centre]]<ref name="sfnow20160930" />}}

''Rosetta'' began a {{convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on}} descent with a 208-second thruster burn executed on 29 September 2016 at approximately 20:50&nbsp;[[UTC]].<ref name="esa20160930">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Mission_complete_Rosetta_s_journey_ends_in_daring_descent_to_comet |title=Mission complete: Rosetta's journey ends in daring descent to comet |publisher=European Space Agency |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="eosjour20160930">{{cite journal |title=Rosetta Spacecraft Death-Dives into Comet Companion—On Purpose |journal=[[Eos (magazine)|Eos]] |first=Ron |last=Cowen |volume=97 |date=30 September 2016 |doi=10.1029/2016EO060243|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="sfnow20160930">{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/09/30/rosetta-mission-ends-with-comet-touchdown/ |title=Rosetta mission ends with comet touchdown |work=Spaceflight Now |first=Stephen |last=Clark |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> Its trajectory targeted a site in the Ma'at region near an area of dust- and gas-producing active pits.<ref name="nature20160930">{{cite journal |title=Mission accomplished: Rosetta crashes into comet |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Elizabeth |last=Gibney |volume=538 |issue=7623 |date=30 September 2016 |doi=10.1038/nature.2016.20705 |pages=13–14 |pmid=27708332 |bibcode=2016Natur.538...13G|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Impact on the comet's surface occurred 14.5 hours after its descent manoeuvre; the final data packet from ''Rosetta'' was transmitted at 10:39:28.895&nbsp;UTC ([[Spacecraft Event Time|SCET]]) by the OSIRIS instrument and was received at the [[European Space Operations Centre]] in Darmstadt, Germany, at 11:19:36.541&nbsp;UTC.<ref name="esa20160930" /><ref name="eosjour20160930" /><ref name="twitter781816617097392129">{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/781816617097392129 |title=Screenshot of the last packet... |work=Twitter.com |publisher=ESA Operations |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=7 October 2016}} Note: Times in the left column are [[Spacecraft Event Time]], while the right column is Earth Received Time. All times are in [[UTC]].</ref> The spacecraft's estimated speed at the time of impact was {{convert|3.2|km/h|mph cm/s|abbr=on}},<ref name="space20160930" /> and its touchdown location, named ''Sais'' by the operations team after the Rosetta Stone's original temple home, is believed to be only {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} off-target.<ref name="nature20160930" /> The final complete image transmitted by the spacecraft of the comet was taken by its OSIRIS instrument at an altitude of {{convert|23.3|-|26.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} about 10 seconds before impact, showing an area {{convert|0.96|m|ft|abbr=on}} across.<ref name="nature20160930" /><ref name="esa20170928">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Unexpected_surprise_a_final_image_from_Rosetta |title=Unexpected Surprise: A Final Image From Rosetta |publisher=European Space Agency |first1=Holger |last1=Sierks |first2=Matt |last2=Taylor |first3=Markus |last3=Bauer |date=28 September 2017 |access-date=3 December 2017}}</ref> ''Rosetta''{{'s}} computer included commands to send it into safe mode upon detecting that it had hit the comet's surface, turning off its radio transmitter and rendering it inert in accordance with [[International Telecommunication Union]] rules.<ref name="sfnow20160930" />

On 28 September 2017, a previously unrecovered image taken by the spacecraft was reported. This image was recovered from three data packets discovered on a server after completion of the mission. While blurry due to data loss, it shows an area of the comet's surface approximately one square meter in size taken from an altitude of {{convert|17.9|-|21.0|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and represents ''Rosetta''{{'s}} closest image of the surface.<ref name="esa20170928" /><ref name="GZM-20170928">{{cite news|url=https://gizmodo.com/scientists-unexpectedly-find-rosetta-s-final-image-of-c-1818966894 |title=Scientists Unexpectedly Find Rosetta's Final Image of Comet 67P/CG |work=[[Gizmodo]] |first=George |last=Dvorsky |date=28 September 2017 |access-date=28 September 2017}}</ref>

== Instruments ==
[[File:Rosetta Instrument Inventory.png|thumb|Rosetta instrument inventory|400x400px]]
{{For|the instruments on ''Philae''|Philae (spacecraft)#Instruments}}

=== Nucleus ===
The investigation of the nucleus was done by three [[optical spectrometer]]s, one [[microwave]] radio antenna and one [[radar]]:
* '''[[Alice (spacecraft instrument)|Alice]]''' (an ultraviolet imaging spectrograph). The [[ultraviolet]] [[spectroscopy|spectrograph]] searched for and quantified the [[noble gas]] content in the comet nucleus, from which the temperature during the comet creation could be estimated. The detection was done by an array of [[potassium bromide]] and [[caesium iodide]] [[photocathode]]s. The {{convert|3.1|kg|abbr=on}} instrument used 2.9 watts, with an improved version onboard [[New Horizons]]. It operated in the extreme and far ultraviolet spectrum, from {{convert|700|-|2050|Å|nm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal|title=''Alice'': The Rosetta Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph |journal=Space Science Reviews |first1=S. A. |last1=Stern |first2=D. C. |last2=Slater |first3=J. |last3=Scherrer |first4=J. |last4=Stone |first5=M. |last5=Versteeg |first6=M. F. |last6=A'Hearn |first7=J. L. |last7=Bertaux |first8=P. D. |last8=Feldman |first9=M. C. |last9=Festou |first10=Joel Wm. |last10=Parker |first11=O. H. W. |last11=Siegmund |display-authors=5 |volume=128 |issue=1–4 |pages=507–527 |date=February 2007 |doi=10.1007/s11214-006-9035-8 |bibcode=2007SSRv..128..507S |arxiv=astro-ph/0603585|s2cid=44273197}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Alice—An Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer for the Rosetta Orbiter |journal=Advances in Space Research |first1=S. A. |last1=Stern |first2=D. C. |last2=Slater |first3=W. |last3=Gibson |first4=J. |last4=Scherrer |first5=M. |last5=A'Hearn |first6=J. L. |last6=Bertaux |first7=P. D. |last7=Feldman |first8=M. C. |last8=Festou |display-authors=5 |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=1517–1525 |year=1998 |doi=10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00944-7 |bibcode=1998AdSpR..21.1517S |citeseerx=10.1.1.42.8623}}</ref> ALICE was built and operated by the [[Southwest Research Institute]] for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.<ref name="swri20140610">{{cite web |url=http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/2014/rosetta-alice.htm |title=Rosetta-Alice spectrograph to begin first-ever close up ultraviolet studies of comet surface and atmosphere |publisher=Southwest Research Institute |date=10 June 2014 |access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref>
* '''[[Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System|OSIRIS]]''' (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System). The camera system had a [[Telephoto lens|narrow-angle]] lens (700&nbsp;mm) and a [[wide-angle lens]] (140&nbsp;mm), with a 2048×2048 pixel [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] chip. The instrument was constructed in Germany. Development and construction of the instrument was led by the [[Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research]] (MPS).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Osiris—The optical, spectroscopic and infrared remote imaging system for the Rosetta Orbiter |journal=Advances in Space Research |first1=N. |last1=Thomas |first2=H. U. |last2=Keller |first3=E. |last3=Arijs |first4=C. |last4=Barbieri |first5=M. |last5=Grande |first6=P. |last6=Lamy |first7=H. |last7=Rickman |first8=R. |last8=Rodrigo |first9=K.-P. |last9=Wenzel |first10=M. F. |last10=A'Hearn |first11=F. |last11=Angrilli |first12=M. |last12=Bailey |first13=M. A. |last13=Barucci |first14=J.-L. |last14=Bertaux |first15=K. |last15=Brieβ |first16=J. A. |last16=Burns |first17=G. |last17=Cremonese |first18=W. |last18=Curdt |first19=H. |last19=Deceuninck |first20=R. |last20=Emery |first21=M. |last21=Festou |first22=M. |last22=Fulle |first23=W.-H. |last23=Ip |first24=L. |last24=Jorda |first25=A. |last25=Korth |first26=D. |last26=Koschny |first27=J.-R. |last27=Kramm |first28=E. |last28=Kührt |first29=L. M. |last29=Lara |first30=A. |last30=Llebaria |first31=J. J. |last31=Lopez-Moreno |first32=F. |last32=Marzari |first33=D. |last33=Moreau |first34=C. |last34=Muller |first35=C. |last35=Murray |first36=G. |last36=Naletto |first37=D. |last37=Nevejans |first38=R. |last38=Ragazzoni |first39=L. |last39=Sabau |first40=A. |last40=Sanz |first41=J.-P. |last41=Sivan |first42=G. |last42=Tondello |display-authors=5 |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=1505–1515 |year=1998 |doi=10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00943-5 |bibcode=1998AdSpR..21.1505T |hdl=11577/2517967 |url=http://oa.upm.es/39904/|hdl-access=free }}</ref>
* '''VIRTIS''' (Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer). The Visible and [[Infrared spectroscopy|IR spectrometer]] was able to make pictures of the nucleus in the IR and also search for IR spectra of molecules in the [[Coma (cometary)|coma]]. The detection was done by a mercury cadmium telluride array for IR and with a CCD chip for the [[Visible spectrum|visible wavelength]] range. The instrument was produced in Italy, and improved versions were used for [[Dawn (spacecraft)|Dawn]] and [[Venus Express]].<ref name="1995-igarss-virtis">{{Cite conference |last1=Coradini |first1=A. |last2=Capaccioni |first2=F. |last3=Capria |first3=M. T. |last4=Cerroni |first4=P. |last5=de Sanctis |first5=M. C. |last6=Magni |first6=G. |last7=Reininger |first7=F. |last8=Drossart |first8=P. |last9=Barucci |first9=M. A. |last10=Bockelee-Morvan |first10=D. |last11=Combes |first11=M. |last12=Crovisier |first12=J. |last13=Encrenaz |first13=T. |last14=Tiphene |first14=D. |last15=Arnold |first15=G. |last16=Carsenty |first16=U. |last17=Michaelis |first17=H. |last18=Mottola |first18=S. |first19=G. |last19=Neukum |last20=Schade |first20=U. |first21=F. |last21=Taylor |last22=Calcutt |first22=S. |first23=T. |last23=Vellacott |last24=Venters |first24=P. |first25=R. E. |last25=Watkins |last26=Bellucci |first26=G. |first27=V. |last27=Formisano |last28=Angrilli |first28=F. |last29=Bianchini |first29=G. |last30=Saggin |first30=B. |first31=E. |last31=Bussoletti |first32=L. |last32=Colangeli |last33=Mennella |first33=V. |last34=Fonti |first34=S. |first35=G. |last35=Tozzi |last36=Bibring |first36=J. P. |last37=Langevin |first37=Y. |last38=Schmitt |first38=B. |last39=Combi |first39=M. |last40=Fink |first40=U. |last41=McCord |first41=T. |first42=W. |last42=Ip |first43=R. W. |last43=Carlson |last44=Jennings |first44=D. E. |date=July 1995 |title=VIRTIS, visible infrared thermal imaging spectrometer for the ROSETTA mission |conference=1995 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS '95. Quantitative Remote Sensing for Science and Applications |location=Firenze, Italy |publisher=[[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|IEEE]] |volume=27 |page=253 |bibcode=1996LPI....27..253C |doi=10.1109/igarss.1995.521822 |isbn=978-0-7803-2567-8 |display-authors=5 |s2cid=119978931 }}</ref>
* '''MIRO''' (Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter). The abundance and temperature of volatile substances like water, ammonia and carbon dioxide could be detected by MIRO via their [[microwave]] emissions. The {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} radio antenna along with the rest of the {{convert|18.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} instrument was built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory with international contributions by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), among others.<ref name="mps.miro">{{cite web|url=http://www.mps.mpg.de/1979612/MIRO |title=MIRO — Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter |publisher=Max Planck Institute |access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref>
* '''[[CONSERT]]''' (Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission). The CONSERT experiment provided information about the deep interior of the comet using [[radar]]. The radar performed [[tomography]] of the nucleus by measuring electromagnetic wave propagation between the ''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]'' lander and the ''Rosetta'' orbiter through the comet nucleus. This allowed it to determine the comet's internal structure and deduce information on its composition. The electronics were developed by France and both antennas were constructed in Germany. Development was led by the Laboratoire de Planétologie de Grenoble with contributions by the Ruhr-Universität Boch and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS).<ref>{{cite web |title=CONSERT — COmet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radio-wave Transmission |date= |work=MPS-Beteiligungen an der Mission Rosetta |publisher=Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung (MPS) |url=https://www.mps.mpg.de/2244587/CONSERT |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission (CONSERT): A Short Description of the Instrument and of the Commissioning Stages |journal=Space Science Reviews |first1=W. |last1=Kofman |first2=A. |last2=Herique |first3=J.-P. |last3=Goutail |first4=T. |last4=Hagfors |first5=I. P. |last5=Williams |first6=E. |last6=Nielsen |first7=J.-P. |last7=Barriot |first8=Y. |last8=Barbin |first9=C. |last9=Elachi |first10=P. |last10=Edenhofer |first11=A.-C. |last11=Levasseur-Regourd |first12=D. |last12=Plettemeier |first13=G. |last13=Picardi |first14=R. |last14=Seu |first15=V. |last15=Svedhem |display-authors=5 |volume=128 |issue=1–4 |pages=414–432 |date=February 2007 |doi=10.1007/s11214-006-9034-9 |bibcode=2007SSRv..128..413K|s2cid=122123636 }}</ref>
*'''RSI''' (Radio Science Investigation). RSI made use of the probe's communication system for physical investigation of the nucleus and the inner [[Coma (cometary)|coma]] of the comet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sci.esa.int/rosetta/35061-instruments/?fbodylongid=1645 |title=RSI: Radio Science Investigation |publisher=European Space Agency |access-date=26 November 2014}}</ref>

=== Gas and particles ===
* '''ROSINA''' (Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis). The instrument consisted of a double-focus [[Sector instrument|magnetic mass spectrometer]] (DFMS) and a [[reflectron]] type [[Time of flight|time of flight mass spectrometer]] (RTOF). The DFMS had a high resolution (could resolve [[nitrogen|N<sub>2</sub>]] from [[carbon monoxide|CO]]) for molecules up to 300 [[Atomic mass unit|amu]]. The RTOF was highly sensitive for neutral molecules and for ions. The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) has contributed to the development and construction of the instrument.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis—ROSINA |journal=Advances in Space Research |first1=H. |last1=Balsiger |first2=K. |last2=Altwegg|author2-link=Kathrin Altwegg |first3=E. |last3=Arijs |first4=J.-L. |last4=Bertaux |first5=J.-J. |last5=Berthelier |first6=P. |last6=Bochsler |first7=G. R. |last7=Carignan |first8=P. |last8=Eberhardt |first9=L. A. |last9=Fisk |first10=S. A. |last10=Fuselier |first11=A. G. |last11=Ghielmetti |first12=F. |last12=Gliem |first13=T. I. |last13=Gombosi |first14=E. |last14=Kopp |first15=A. |last15=Korth |first16=S. |last16=Livi |first17=C. |last17=Mazelle |first18=H. |last18=Rème |first19=J. A. |last19=Sauvaud |first20=E. G. |last20=Shelley |first21=J. H. |last21=Waite |first22=B. |last22=Wilken |first23=J. |last23=Woch |first24=H. |last24=Wollnik |first25=P. |last25=Wurz |first26=D. T. |last26=Young |display-authors=5 |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=1527–1535 |year=1998 |doi=10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00945-9 |bibcode=1998AdSpR..21.1527B}}</ref> ROSINA was developed at the University of Bern in Switzerland.
* '''[[Micro-Imaging Dust Analysis System|MIDAS]]''' (Micro-Imaging Dust Analysis System). The high-resolution [[atomic force microscopy|atomic force microscope]] investigated several physical aspects of the dust particles which are deposited on a silicon plate.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The MIDAS experiment for the Rosetta mission |journal=Advances in Space Research |first1=W. |last1=Riedler |first2=K. |last2=Torkar |first3=F. |last3=Rüdenauer |first4=M. |last4=Fehringer |first5=R. |last5=Schmidt |first6=H. |last6=Arends |first7=R. J. L. |last7=Grard |first8=E. K. |last8=Jessberger |first9=R. |last9=Kassing |first10=H. St. C. |last10=Alleyne |first11=P. |last11=Ehrenfreund |first12=A. C. |last12=Levasseur-Regourd |first13=C. |last13=Koeberl |first14=O. |last14=Havnes |first15=W. |last15=Klöck |first16=E. |last16=Zinner |first17=M. |last17=Rott |display-authors=5 |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=1547–1556 |year=1998 |doi=10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00947-2 |bibcode=1998AdSpR..21.1547R}}</ref>
* '''COSIMA''' (Cometary Secondary Ion Mass Analyser). COSIMA analysed the composition of dust particles by [[secondary ion mass spectrometry]], using [[indium]] ions. It could detect ions up to a mass of 6500&nbsp;amu. COSIMA was built by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE, Germany) with international contributions. The COSIMA team is led by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS, Germany).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Chemometric evaluation of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry data of minerals in the frame of future ''in situ'' analyses of cometary material by COSIMA onboard ROSETTA |journal=Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry |first1=Cecile |last1=Engrand |first2=Jochen |last2=Kissel |first3=Franz R. |last3=Krueger |first4=Philippe |last4=Martin |first5=Johan |last5=Silén |first6=Laurent |last6=Thirkell |first7=Roger |last7=Thomas |first8=Kurt |last8=Varmuza |display-authors=5 |volume=20 |issue=8 |pages=1361–1368 |date=April 2006 |doi=10.1002/rcm.2448 |pmid=16555371|bibcode=2006RCMS...20.1361E }}</ref>
* '''GIADA''' (Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator). GIADA analysed the dust environment of the [[Coma (cometary)|comet coma]] by measuring the optical cross section, momentum, speed and mass of each grain entering inside the instrument.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator (GIADA) experiment for the Rosetta mission: design, performances and first results |journal=Space Science Reviews |first1=L. |last1=Colangeli |first2=J. J. |last2=Lopez-Moreno |first3=P. |last3=Palumbo |first4=J. |last4=Rodriguez |first5=M. |last5=Cosi |first6=V. |last6=Della Corte |first7=F. |last7=Esposito |first8=M. |last8=Fulle |first9=M. |last9=Herranz |first10=J. M. |last10=Jeronimo |first11=A. |last11=Lopez-Jimenez |first12=E. |last12=Mazzotta Epifani |first13=R. |last13=Morales |first14=F. |last14=Moreno |first15=E. |last15=Palomba |first16=A. |last16=Rotundi |display-authors=5 |volume=128 |issue=1–4 |pages=803–821 |date=February 2007 |doi=10.1007/s11214-006-9038-5 |bibcode=2007SSRv..128..803C|s2cid=123232721 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=GIADA: its status after the Rosetta cruise phase and on-ground activity in support of the encounter with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko |journal=[[Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation]] |first1=V. |last1=Della Corte |first2=A. |last2=Rotundi |first3=M. |last3=Accolla |first4=R. |last4=Sordini |first5=P. |last5=Palumbo |first6=L. |last6=Colangeli |first7=J. J. |last7=Lopez-Moreno |first8=J. |last8=Rodriguez |first9=F. J. M. |last9=Rietmeijer |first10=E. |last10=Mazzotta Epifani |first11=S. |last11=Ivanovski |first12=A. |last12=Aronica |first13=M. |last13=Cosi |first14=E. |last14=Bussoletti |first15=J. F. |last15=Crifo |first16=F. |last16=Esposito |first17=M. |last17=Fulle |first18=S. F. |last18=Green |first19=E. |last19=Gruen |first20=M. L. |last20=Herranz |first21=J. M. |last21=Jeronimo |first22=P. |last22=Lamy |first23=A. |last23=Lopez-Jimenez |first24=J. A. M.. |last24=McDonnell |first25=V. |last25=Mennella |first26=A. |last26=Molina |first27=R. |last27=Morales |first28=F. |last28=Moreno |first29=E. |last29=Palomba |first30=J. M. |last30=Perrin |first31=R. |last31=Rodrigo |first32=P. |last32=Weissman |first33=V. |last33=Zakharov |first34=J. C. |last34=Zarnecki |display-authors=5 |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=1350011–110 |date=March 2014 |doi=10.1142/S2251171713500116 |bibcode=2014JAI.....350011D |url=http://oro.open.ac.uk/39545/1/2014_DellaCorte_et_al_JAI_1350011.pdf}}</ref>

=== Solar wind interaction ===
* '''RPC''' (Rosetta Plasma Consortium).<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Rosetta plasma consortium: Technical realization and scientific aims |journal=Advances in Space Research |first1=J. G. |last1=Trotignon |first2=R. |last2=Boström |first3=J. L. |last3=Burch |first4=K.-H. |last4=Glassmeier |first5=R. |last5=Lundin |first6=O. |last6=Norberg |first7=A. |last7=Balogh |first8=K. |last8=Szegö |first9=G. |last9=Musmann |first10=A. |last10=Coates |first11=A. |last11=Åhlén |first12=C. |last12=Carr |first13=A. |last13=Eriksson |first14=W. |last14=Gibson |first15=F. |last15=Kuhnke |first16=K. |last16=Lundin |first17=J. L. |last17=Michau |first18=S. |last18=Szalai |display-authors=5 |volume=24 |issue=9 |pages=1149–1158 |date=January 1999 |doi=10.1016/S0273-1177(99)80208-7 |bibcode=1999AdSpR..24.1149T}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=RPC-MAG The Fluxgate Magnetometer in the ROSETTA Plasma Consortium |journal=Space Science Reviews |first1=Karl-Heinz |last1=Glassmeier |first2=Ingo |last2=Richter |first3=Andrea |last3=Diedrich |first4=Günter |last4=Musmann |first5=Uli |last5=Auster |first6=Uwe |last6=Motschmann |first7=Andre |last7=Balogh |first8=Chris |last8=Carr |first9=Emanuele |last9=Cupido |first10=Andrew |last10=Coates |first11=Martin |last11=Rother |first12=Konrad |last12=Schwingenschuh |first13=Karoly |last13=Szegö |first14=Bruce |last14=Tsurutani |display-authors=5 |volume=128 |issue=1–4 |pages=649–670 |date=February 2007 |doi=10.1007/s11214-006-9114-x |bibcode=2007SSRv..128..649G|s2cid=121047896 }}</ref>

== Search for organic compounds ==
Previous observations have shown that comets contain complex [[organic compound]]s.<ref name="FAQ" /><ref name="NASA-20140221">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/ames/need-to-track-organic-nano-particles-across-the-universe-nasas-got-an-app-for-that/ |title=Need to Track Organic Nano-Particles Across the Universe? NASA's Got an App for That |publisher=NASA |first=Rachel |last=Hoover |date=21 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="FromADistantComet">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/science/space/19comet.html |title=From a Distant Comet, a Clue to Life |work=[[The New York Times]] |series=Space & Cosmos |first=Kenneth |last=Chang |page=A18 |date=18 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="Tate Jan2014">{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/24333-rosetta-spacecraft-comet-landing-explained-infographic.html |title=How the Rosetta Spacecraft Will Land on a Comet |publisher=Space.com |first=Karl |last=Tate |date=17 January 2014 |access-date=9 August 2014 |quote=A previous sample-return mission to a different comet found particles of organic matter that are the building blocks of life.}}</ref> These are the elements that make up [[nucleic acid]]s and [[amino acid]]s, essential ingredients for life as we know it. Comets are thought to have delivered a vast quantity of water to Earth, and they may have also seeded Earth with [[organic molecule]]s.<ref name="Kramer UniToday">{{cite news |url=http://www.universetoday.com/113704/rosetta-arrives-at-scientific-disneyland-for-ambitious-study-of-comet-67pchuryumov-gerasimenko-after-10-year-voyage/ |title=Rosetta Arrives at 'Scientific Disneyland' for Ambitious Study of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko after 10 Year Voyage |work=Universe Today |first=Ken |last=Kremer |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=9 August 2014}}</ref> ''Rosetta'' and ''Philae'' also searched for organic molecules, nucleic acids (the building blocks of [[DNA]] and [[RNA]]) and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) by sampling and analysing the comet's nucleus and coma cloud of gas and dust,<ref name="Kramer UniToday" /> helping assess the contribution comets made to the [[Abiogenesis|beginnings of life]] on Earth.<ref name="FAQ" /> Before succumbing to falling power levels, ''Philae''{{'s}} COSAC instrument was able to detect organic molecules in the comet's atmosphere.<ref name="transient contacts">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2015/06/26/rosetta-and-philae-searching-for-a-good-signal/ |title=Rosetta and Philae: Searching for a good signal |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Emily |last=Baldwin |date=26 June 2015 |access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Chirality with hands.svg|thumb|Two [[enantiomer]]s of a generic [[amino acid]]. The mission will study why one [[chirality (chemistry)|chirality]] of some amino acids seems to be dominant in the universe.]]

;Amino acids
Upon landing on the comet, ''Philae'' should have also tested some hypotheses as to why [[essential amino acid]]s are almost all "left-handed", which refers to how the atoms arrange in orientation in relation to the carbon core of the molecule.<ref name="Thiemann 2001">{{cite journal |title=ESA Mission ROSETTA Will Probe for Chirality of Cometary Amino Acids |journal=Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere |first1=Wolfram H.-P. |last1=Thiemann |first2=Uwe |last2=Meierhenrich |volume=21 |issue=1–2 |pages=199–210 |date=February 2001 |doi=10.1023/A:1006718920805|pmid=11296522 |bibcode=2001OLEB...31..199T |s2cid=33089299 }}</ref> Most asymmetrical molecules are oriented in approximately equal numbers of left- and right-handed configurations ([[Chirality (chemistry)|chirality]]), and the primarily left-handed structure of essential amino acids used by living organisms is unique. One hypothesis that will be tested was proposed in 1983 by William A. Bonner and [[Edward Rubenstein]], [[Stanford University]] professors emeritus of chemistry and medicine respectively. They conjectured that when spiralling radiation is generated from a [[supernova]], the circular polarisation of that radiation could then destroy one type of "handed" molecules. The supernova could wipe out one type of molecules while also flinging the other surviving molecules into space, where they could eventually end up on a planet.<ref name="William A Bonner's Stanford obituary">{{cite web |url=http://news.stanford.edu/news/2007/october17/bonner-101707.html |title=William Bonner, professor emeritus of chemistry, dead at 87 |work=Stanford Report |first=Louis |last=Bergeron |date=17 October 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>

=== Preliminary results ===
{{main|67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko}}
The mission has yielded a significant science return, collecting a wealth of data from the nucleus and its environment at various levels of cometary activity.<ref>{{cite conference |url=http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2016/EGU2016-17068.pdf |title=Rosetta Mission Status: Toward the End of Comet Phase Operations |conference=EGU General Assembly 2016. 17–22 April 2016. Vienna Austria. |first=Patrick |last=Martin |date=April 2016 |bibcode=2016EGUGA..1817068M |id=EGU2016-17068}}</ref> The VIRTIS [[spectrometer]] on board the ''Rosetta'' spacecraft has provided evidence of nonvolatile organic macromolecular compounds everywhere on the surface of comet 67P with little to no water ice visible.<ref name="Capaccioni2015">{{cite journal |title=The organic-rich surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as seen by VIRTIS/Rosetta |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |first1=F. |last1=Capaccioni |first2=A. |last2=Coradini |first3=G. |last3=Filacchione |first4=S. |last4=Erard |first5=G. |last5=Arnold |first6=P. |last6=Drossart |first7=M. C. |last7=de Sanctis |first8=D. |last8=Bockelée-Morvan |first9=M. T. |last9=Capria |first10=F. |last10=Tosi |first11=C. |last11=Leyrat |first12=B. |last12=Schmitt |first13=E. |last13=Quirico |first14=P. |last14=Cerroni |first15=V. |last15=Mennella |first16=A. |last16=Raponi |first17=M. |last17=Ciarniello |first18=T. |last18=McCord |first19=L. |last19=Moroz |first20=E. |last20=Ammannito |display-authors=5 |volume=347 |issue=6220 |pages=aaa0628 |date=23 January 2015 |doi=10.1126/science.aaa0628 |bibcode=2015Sci...347a0628C |pmid=25613895 |s2cid=206632659 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Preliminary analyses strongly suggest the carbon is present as [[Aromatic hydrocarbon|polyaromatic]] organic solids mixed with [[sulfide]]s and iron-nickel alloys.<ref name="Quirico2015">{{cite conference |url=http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/pdf/2092.pdf |title=Composition of Comet 67P/Churymov-Gerasimenko Refractory Crust as Inferred from VIRTIS-M/Rosetta Spectro-Imager |conference=46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. 16–20 March 2015. The Woodlands, Texas. |first1=E. |last1=Quirico |first2=L. V. |last2=Moroz |first3=P. |last3=Beck |first4=B. |last4=Schmitt |first5=G. |last5=Arnold |first6=L. |last6=Bona |first7=G. |last7=Filacchione |first8=F. |last8=Capaccioni |first9=C. |last9=Leyrat |first10=D. |last10=Bockelée-Morvan |first11=S. |last11=Erard |first12=F. |last12=Tosi |first13=M. |last13=Ciarniello |first14=A. |last14=Raponi |first15=M. T. |last15=Capria |first16=M. C. |last16=de Sanctis |first17=G. |last17=Piccioni |first18=A. |last18=Barucci |first19=P. |last19=Drossart |first20=K. |last20=Marcus |display-authors=5 |date=March 2015 |id=LPI Contribution No. 1832, p. 2092 |bibcode=2015LPI....46.2092Q}}</ref><ref name="quirco-2016">{{cite journal |title=Refractory and semi-volatile organics at the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Insights from the VIRTIS/Rosetta imaging spectrometer |journal=Icarus |last1=Quirico |first1=E. |last2=Moroz |first2=L. V. |last3=Schmitt |first3=B. |last4=Arnold |first4=G. |last5=Faure |first5=M. |display-authors=etal |volume=272 |pages=32–47 |date=July 2016 |doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2016.02.028 |bibcode=2016Icar..272...32Q |url=https://elib.dlr.de/124877/1/rousseau_submicron_icarus_preprint_2018.pdf}}</ref>

Solid organic compounds were also found in the dust particles emitted by the comet; the carbon in this organic material is bound in "very large macromolecular compounds", analogous to those found in [[carbonaceous chondrite]] meteorites.<ref name="Fray 2016">{{cite journal |title=High-molecular-weight organic matter in the particles of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko |journal=Nature |last1=Fray |first1=Nicolas |last2=Bardyn |first2=Anaïs |last3=Cottin |first3=Hervé |display-authors=etal |volume=538 |issue=7623 |pages=72–74 |date=6 October 2016 |doi=10.1038/nature19320 |pmid=27602514 |bibcode=2016Natur.538...72F|s2cid=205250295 }}</ref> However, no hydrated minerals were detected, suggesting no link with carbonaceous chondrites.<ref name="quirco-2016" />

In turn, the ''Philae'' lander's COSAC instrument detected organic molecules in the comet's atmosphere as it descended to its surface.<ref name="bbcnews20141118">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30097648 |title=Comet landing: Organic molecules detected by Philae |work=BBC News |first=Paul |last=Rincon |date=18 November 2014 |access-date=6 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="guardian20141119">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/18/philae-lander-comet-surface-detects-organic-molecules |title=Rosetta mission lander detects organic molecules on surface of comet |work=The Guardian |first=Richard |last=Grey |date=19 November 2014 |access-date=6 April 2015}}</ref> Measurements by the COSAC and Ptolemy instruments on the ''Philae''{{'s}} lander revealed sixteen [[organic compound]]s, four of which were seen for the first time on a comet, including [[acetamide]], [[acetone]], [[methyl isocyanate]] and [[propionaldehyde]].<ref name="wapo20150730">{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/07/30/philae-probe-finds-evidence-that-comets-can-be-cosmic-labs |title=Philae probe gets a 'sniff' of acetone, indicating comets can concoct complex compounds |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |agency=Associated Press |first=Frank |last=Jordans |date=30 July 2015 |access-date=5 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="esa20150730">{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Science_on_the_surface_of_a_comet |title=Science on the Surface of a Comet |publisher=European Space Agency |date=30 July 2015 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="SCI-20150731">{{cite journal |last1=Bibring |first1=J.-P. |last2=Taylor |first2=M.G.G.T. |last3=Alexander |first3=C. |last4=Auster |first4=U. |last5=Biele |first5=J. |last6=Finzi |first6=A. Ercoli |last7=Goesmann |first7=F. |last8=Klingehoefer |first8=G. |last9=Kofman |first9=W. |last10=Mottola |first10=S. |last11=Seidenstiker |first11=K.J. |last12=Spohn |first12=T. |last13=Wright |first13=I. |title=Philae's First Days on the Comet – Introduction to Special Issue |date=31 July 2015 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume=349 |issue=6247 |page=493 |doi=10.1126/science.aac5116 |bibcode=2015Sci...349..493B |pmid=26228139 |s2cid=206639354 |url=http://elib.dlr.de/97953/1/Science-2015-Bibring-493.pdf|doi-access=free }}</ref> The only amino acid detected thus far on the comet is [[glycine]], along with the precursor molecules [[methylamine]] and [[ethylamine]].<ref name="Altwegg 2016">{{cite journal |title=Prebiotic chemicals—amino acid and phosphorus—in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko |journal=Science Advances |last1=Altwegg |first1=Kathrin|author1-link=Kathrin Altwegg |display-authors=etal |volume=2 |issue=5 |pages=e1600285 |date=27 May 2016 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.1600285 |pmid=27386550 |pmc=4928965 |bibcode=2016SciA....2E0285A}}</ref>

One of the most outstanding discoveries of the mission was the detection of large amounts of free molecular [[oxygen]] ({{chem2|O2}}) gas surrounding the comet.<ref name="Bieler 2015">{{cite journal |title=Abundant molecular oxygen in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko |journal=Nature |date=29 October 2015 |last=Bieler |first=A. |display-authors=etal |volume=526 |issue=7575 |pages=678–681 |doi=10.1038/nature15707 |pmid=26511578 |bibcode=2015Natur.526..678B |s2cid=205246191 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01346075/file/O2_letter_v4.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Howel 2015">{{cite news |last=Howell |first=Elizabeth |url=http://www.space.com/30961-modern-mystery-ancient-comet-spewing-oxygen.html?adbid=10153138402681466&adbpl=fb&adbpr=17610706465 |title=Modern Mystery: Ancient Comet Is Spewing Oxygen |work=Space.com |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref> A local abundance of [[oxygen]] was reported to be in range from 1% to 10% relative to H<sub>2</sub>O.<ref name="Bieler 2015" />

== Timeline of major events and discoveries ==
{{Main|Timeline of Rosetta spacecraft}}
[[File:Rosetta’s self-portrait at Mars (12743274474).jpg|thumb|''Rosetta'' "selfie" at Mars]]

;2004
* 2 March – ''Rosetta'' was successfully launched at 07:17 [[UTC]] (04:17 local time) from [[Guiana Space Centre|Kourou]], French Guiana.

;2005
* 4 March – ''Rosetta'' executed its first planned close swing-by (gravity assist passage) of Earth. The Moon and the Earth's magnetic field were used to test and calibrate the instruments on board of the spacecraft. The minimum altitude above the Earth's surface was {{convert|1954.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Montagnon2006">{{cite journal|title=Rosetta on its way to the outer Solar System |journal=Acta Astronautica |first1=Elsa |last1=Montagnon |first2=Paolo |last2=Ferri |volume=59 |issue=1–5 |pages=301–309 |date=July 2006 |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2006.02.024 |bibcode=2006AcAau..59..301M}}</ref>
* 4 July – Imaging instruments on board observed the collision between the comet [[Tempel 1]] and the impactor of the [[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|Deep Impact]] mission.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_camera_view_of_Tempel_1_brightness |title=Rosetta camera view of Tempel 1 brightness |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Gerhard |last=Schwehm |date=4 July 2005 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref>

;2007
* 25 February – Mars flyby.<ref name="Mars fly-by" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_successfully_swings-by_Mars_next_target_Earth |title=Rosetta successfully swings-by Mars – next target: Earth |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Gerhard |last=Schwehm |date=25 February 2007 |access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref>
* 8 November – [[Catalina Sky Survey]] briefly misidentified the ''Rosetta'' spacecraft, approaching for its second Earth flyby, as a newly discovered asteroid.
* 13 November – Second Earth swing-by at a minimum altitude of {{convert|5295|km|mi|abbr=on}}, travelling at {{convert|45000|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="esa20071113">{{cite news|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_swing-by_a_success |title=Rosetta swing-by a success |publisher=European Space Agency |first1=Gerhard |last1=Schwehm |first2=Andrea |last2=Accomazzo |first3=Rita |last3=Schulz |date=13 November 2007 |access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>

[[File:2867 Šteins by Rosetta (reprocessed) - cropped.png|thumb|Enhanced image of asteroid Šteins by ''Rosetta'']]
;2008
* 5 September – Flyby of asteroid [[2867 Šteins]]. The spacecraft passed the [[main-belt asteroid]] at a distance of {{convert|800|km|mi||abbr=on}} and the relatively slow speed of {{convert|8.6|km/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Encounter_of_a_different_kind_Rosetta_observes_asteroid_at_close_quarters |title=Encounter of a different kind: Rosetta observes asteroid at close quarters |publisher=European Space Agency |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=29 May 2009}}</ref>

;2009
* 13 November – Third and final swing-by of Earth at {{convert|48024|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Last_visit_home_for_ESA_s_comet_chaser |title=Last visit home for ESA's comet chaser |publisher=European Space Agency |date=20 October 2009 |access-date=8 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Rosetta_bound_for_outer_Solar_System_after_final_Earth_swingby |title=Rosetta bound for outer Solar System after final Earth swingby |publisher=European Space Agency |date=13 November 2009 |access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>

;2010
* 16 March – Observation of the dust tail of asteroid [[P/2010 A2]]. Together with observations by [[Hubble Space Telescope]] it could be confirmed that P/2010&nbsp;A2 is not a comet, but an asteroid, and that the tail most likely consists of particles from an impact by a smaller asteroid.<ref>{{cite journal |title=A collision in 2009 as the origin of the debris trail of asteroid P/2010 A2 |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first1=Colin |last1=Snodgrass |first2=Cecilia |last2=Tubiana |first3=Jean-Baptiste |last3=Vincent |first4=Holger |last4=Sierks |first5=Stubbe |last5=Hviid |first6=Richard |last6=Moissl |first7=Hermann |last7=Boehnhardt |first8=Cesare |last8=Barbieri |first9=Detlef |last9=Koschny |first10=Philippe |last10=Lamy |first11=Hans |last11=Rickman |first12=Rafael |last12=Rodrigo |first13=Benoît |last13=Carry |first14=Stephen C. |last14=Lowry |first15=Ryan J. M. |last15=Laird |first16=Paul R. |last16=Weissman |first17=Alan |last17=Fitzsimmons |first18=Simone |last18=Marchi |author19=OSIRIS team |display-authors=5 |volume=467 |issue=7317 |pages=814–816 |date=October 2010 |doi=10.1038/nature09453 |bibcode=2010Natur.467..814S |pmid=20944742 |arxiv=1010.2883|s2cid=4330570 }}</ref>
* 10 July – Flew by and photographed the asteroid [[21 Lutetia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/8740-mysterious-asteroid-unmasked-space-probe-flyby.html |title=Mysterious Asteroid Unmasked By Space Probe Flyby |publisher=Space.com |first=Denise |last=Chow |date=10 July 2010 |access-date=10 July 2010}}</ref>

[[File:NAVCAM top 10 at 10 km – 7 (15763681495).jpg|thumb|Comet 67P seen from {{convert|10|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}]]

;2014
* May to July – Starting on 7 May, ''Rosetta'' began orbital correction manoeuvres to bring itself into orbit around 67P. At the time of the first deceleration burn ''Rosetta'' was approximately {{convert|2000000|km|mi||abbr=on}} away from 67P and had a relative velocity of +{{convert|775|m/s|abbr=on}}; by the end of the last burn, which occurred on 23 July, the distance had been reduced to just over {{convert|4000|km|mi|abbr=on}} with a relative velocity of +{{convert|7.9|m/s|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="OCM">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/05/07/thruster-burn-kicks-off-crucial-series-of-manoeuvres// |title=Thruster burn kicks off crucial series of manoeuvres |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Daniel |last=Scuka |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="bigburns01">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/05/20/the-big-burns-part-1/ |title=The Big Burns – Part 1 |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Daniel |last=Scuka |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> In total eight burns were used to align the trajectories of ''Rosetta'' 67P with the majority of the deceleration occurring during three burns: [[Delta-v|Delta-''v'']]{{'s}} of {{convert|291|m/s|mph|abbr=on}} on 21 May, {{convert|271|m/s|mph|abbr=on}} on 4 June, and {{convert|91|m/s|mph|abbr=on}} on 18 June.<ref name="OCM" />
* 14 July – The OSIRIS on-board imaging system returned images of comet 67P which confirmed the irregular shape of the comet.<ref name="astronomy20140717">{{cite news |url=http://www.astronomy.com/news/2014/07/the-twofold-comet-comet-67pchuryumov-gerasimenko |title=The twofold comet: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko |work=[[Astronomy (magazine)|Astronomy.com]] |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="skytel20140717">{{cite news |url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/rubber-ducky-space-07172014/ |title=Rosetta's Comet has a Split Personality |work=[[Sky & Telescope]] |first=Maria |last=Temming |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>
* 6 August – ''Rosetta'' arrives at 67P, approaching to {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} and carrying out a thruster burn that reduces its relative velocity to {{convert|1|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name="twitter20140806">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/496951358143336449 |title=Thruster burn complete |publisher=Twitter.com |author=ESA Operations |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="bigburns02">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/06/03/the-big-burns-part-2/ |title=The Big Burns – Part 2 |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Daniel |last=Scuka |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="mirror20140806">{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/rosetta-probe-recap-updates-after-3996770 |title=Rosetta probe: Recap updates after spacecraft successfully reached deep space comet orbit |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |first=Sam |last=Rkaina |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> Commences comet mapping and characterisation to determine a stable orbit and viable landing location for ''Philae''.<ref name="bbc20140814">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28741244 |title=Rosetta: Comet probe gets down to work |work=BBC News |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref>
* 4 September – The first science data from ''Rosetta''{{'s}} Alice instrument was reported, showing that the comet is unusually dark in [[ultraviolet]] wavelengths, [[hydrogen]] and [[oxygen]] are present in the [[coma (cometary)|coma]], and no significant areas of water-ice have been found on the comet's surface. Water-ice was expected to be found as the comet is too far from the Sun to turn water into vapour.<ref name="NASA-20140904">{{cite news |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/september/nasa-instrument-aboard-european-spacecraft-returns-first-science-results/ |title=NASA Instrument aboard European Spacecraft Returns First Science Results |publisher=NASA |first1=Dwayne |last1=Brown |first2=A. G. |last2=Agle |first3=Maria |last3=Martinez |first4=Markus |last4=Bauer |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014 |id=Release 14-238}}</ref>
* 10 September 2014 – ''Rosetta'' enters the Global Mapping Phase, orbiting 67P at an altitude of {{convert|29|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="esa20140910">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/09/10/down-down-we-go-to-29-km-or-lower/ |title=Down, down we go to 29 km – or lower? |publisher=European Space Agency |first=Daniel |last=Scuka |date=10 September 2014 |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>
* 12 November 2014 – ''Philae'' lands on the surface of 67P.<ref name="skytel20141112"/>
* 10 December 2014 – Data from the ROSINA mass spectrometers show that the ratio of [[heavy water]] to normal water on comet 67P is more than three times that on Earth. The ratio is regarded as a distinctive signature, and the discovery means that Earth's water is unlikely to have originated from comets like 67P.<ref name="NASA-20141210-DCA" /><ref name="NYT-20141210-KC"/><ref name="BBC-20141211"/>

[[File:Crescent Comet 67P.jpg|thumb|Comet 67P with a tail of gas and dust, seen from {{convert|162|km|mi|abbr=on}}]]

;2015
* 14 April 2015 – Scientists report that the comet's nucleus has no magnetic field of its own.<ref name="esa20150414"/>
* 2 July 2015 – Scientists report that active pits, related to [[sinkhole]] collapses and possibly associated with outbursts, have been found on the comet.<ref name="NAT-20150702">{{cite journal |title=Large heterogeneities in comet 67P as revealed by active pits from sinkhole collapse |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Jean-Baptiste |last=Vincent |display-authors=etal |volume=523 |issue=7558 |pages=63–66 |date=2 July 2015 |doi=10.1038/nature14564 |bibcode=2015Natur.523...63V |pmid=26135448|s2cid=2993705 |url=https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01176031/file/JBV2015.pdf }}</ref><ref name="AP-20150701">{{cite news |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150701/us-sci--comet_sinkholes-11254d29fb.html |title=It's the pits: Comet appears to have sinkholes, study says |agency=[[Associated Press]] |last=Ritter |first=Malcolm |date=1 July 2015 |access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Comet outburst 12 September 2015 ESA19707455.gif|thumb|[[Outgassing|Outbursting]] of the [[comet]] [[67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko]] on 12 September 2015 one of the most dramatic cliff collapses captured during the Rosetta mission.]]
* 11 August 2015 – Scientists release images of a comet outburst that occurred on 29 July 2015.<ref name="NASA-20150811">{{cite web |title=PIA19867: Rosetta Comet In Action (Animation) |url=http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19867 |date=11 August 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
* 28 October 2015 – Scientists publish an article in ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' reporting high levels of [[Dioxygen|molecular oxygen]] around 67P.<ref name="Bieler 2015" /><ref name="radionz">{{cite news |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/288301/comet-gives-clues-to-earth%27s-beginning |title=Comet gives clues to Earth's beginning |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* November 2014 to December 2015 – ''Rosetta'' escorted the comet around the Sun and performed riskier investigations.<ref name="esa20150623" />

;2016
* 27 July 2016 – ESA switched off the Electrical Support System Processor Unit (ESS) aboard ''Rosetta'', disabling any possibility of further communications with the ''Philae'' lander.<ref name="farewellphilae" />
* 2 September 2016 – ''Rosetta'' photographs the ''Philae'' lander for the first time after its landing, finding it wedged against a large overhang.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37276221 |title=Philae: Lost comet lander is found |work=BBC News |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=5 September 2016 |access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref>
* 30 September 2016 – Mission ended in an attempt to slow land on the comet's surface near a {{convert|425|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} wide pit called Deir el-Medina. The walls of the pit contain {{convert|3|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} wide so-called "goose bumps", believed to represent the building blocks of the comet.<ref name="newsci20160930" /><ref name="space20160930" /><ref name="NYT-20160926">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/27/science/rosetta-spacecraft-comet-mission-end.html |title=For Rosetta, a Landing and an Ending on a Comet |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=26 September 2016 |access-date=26 September 2016}}</ref> Although ''Philae'' sent back some data during its descent, ''Rosetta'' has more powerful and more varied sensors and instruments, offering the opportunity to get some very close-in science to complement the more distant remote sensing it has been doing. The orbiter descended more slowly than ''Philae'' did.<ref name="Gibney 2015">{{cite journal |title=Historic Rosetta mission to end with crash into comet |journal=Nature |last=Gibney |first=Elizabeth |volume=527 |pages=16–17 |date=4 November 2015 |issue=7576 |doi=10.1038/527016a |pmid=26536934 |bibcode=2015Natur.527...16G|s2cid=4390437 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="bbc20160630">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36607608 |title=Rosetta comet probe given termination date |work=BBC News |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=30 June 2016 |access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref>

== Public image ==

=== ''Once upon a time...'' cartoon ===
[[File:Rosetta and Philae cartoon.jpg|thumb|left|Cartoon versions of ''Rosetta'' and ''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]'' as they appear in the ESA's ''Once upon a time...'' series]]
As part of the European Space Agency's media campaign in support of the ''Rosetta'' mission, both the ''Rosetta'' and ''[[Philae (spacecraft)|Philae]]'' spacecraft were given [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] personalities in an [[animation|animated]] [[web series]] titled ''Once upon a time...''. The series depicts various stages in the ''Rosetta'' mission, involving the personified ''Rosetta'' and ''Philae'' on "a classic road trip story into the depths of our universe", complemented with various [[visual gag]]s presented in an educational context.<ref name="room-cartoon">{{cite web |last1=Marcu |first1=Sebastian D. |last2=Laird |first2=Ryan J. M. |title=Captivating hearts and minds |url=https://room.eu.com/article/captivating-hearts-and-minds |work=Room, The Space Journal |publisher=Aerospace International Research Center |access-date=28 December 2016 |date=March 2016}}</ref> Produced by animation studio Design & Data GmbH, the series was initially conceived by the ESA as a four-part [[fantasy]]-like series with a ''[[Sleeping Beauty]]'' theme that promoted community involvement in ''Rosetta''{{'}}s wake up from hibernation in January 2014. After the success of the series, however, the ESA commissioned the studio to continue producing new episodes in the series throughout the course of the mission.<ref name="room-cartoon"/> A total of twelve videos in the series were produced from 2013 to 2016, with a 25-minute compilation of the series released in December 2016, after the end of the mission.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Trent |title=The ESA turned the Rosetta and Philae mission into an adorable cartoon |url=http://www.blastr.com/2016-12-27/esa-turned-rosetta-and-philae-mission-adorable-cartoon |work=Syfy Wire |publisher=[[Syfy]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228154947/http://www.blastr.com/2016-12-27/esa-turned-rosetta-and-philae-mission-adorable-cartoon |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=27 December 2016}}</ref> In 2019, Design & Data adapted the series into a 26-minute [[planetarium]] show that was commissioned by the [[Swiss Museum of Transport]], and solicited to eighteen planetariums across Europe, with an aim "to inspire the young generation to explore the universe."<ref name="datadesign-1">{{Cite web |url=https://designdata.de/news/launching-the-planetarium-show-the-adventures-of-rosetta-philae/ |title=Launching the Planetarium Show "The Adventures of Rosetta & Philae" |publisher=Design & Data GmbH |date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430052532/https://designdata.de/news/launching-the-planetarium-show-the-adventures-of-rosetta-philae/ |archive-date=30 April 2019 |quote=Production was initiated by the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz (Museum of Transport Planetarium) and brought to full dome with the support of the Swiss Space Office. The project involves 18 other planetaria (Berlin, Baikonur, Bochum, Chemnitz, ESO Supernova Garching, Kiel, Klagenfurt, Münster, Nuremberg, Prague, Shanghai, Singapore, Vienna and others) from seven countries. The aim of the project is to inspire the young generation to explore the universe. |url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''Rosetta'' and ''Philae'' characters featured in ''Once upon a time...'', designed by ESA employee and cartoonist Carlo Palazzari, became a central part of public image of the ''Rosetta'' mission, appearing in promotional material for the mission such as posters and merchandise,<ref name="phys-cartoon">{{cite web |last1=Le Roux |first1=Mariëtte |title=Philae comet probe: World prepares for final farewell |url=http://phys.org/news/2016-02-philae-comet-probe-world-farewell.html |work=[[Phys.org]] |publisher=Omicron Technology |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228152430/http://phys.org/news/2016-02-philae-comet-probe-world-farewell.html |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=3 February 2016}}</ref> and often credited as a major factor in the popularity of the mission among the public.<ref name="room-cartoon"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bergin |first1=Chris |title=Rosetta and Philae officially say goodbye as mission draws to conclusion |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/07/rosetta-goodbye-successful-mission-conclusion/ |work=[[NASASpaceFlight.com]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228160105/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/07/rosetta-goodbye-successful-mission-conclusion/ |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=27 July 2016}}</ref> ESA employees also [[Role-playing|role-played]] as the characters on [[Twitter]] throughout the course of the mission.<ref name="phys-cartoon"/><ref name="mashable-cartoon">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Miriam |title=This adorable video about the Rosetta comet mission will make you cry |url=http://mashable.com/2016/09/30/animated-rosetta-spacecraft-comet-video/ |work=[[Mashable]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228153442/http://mashable.com/2016/09/30/animated-rosetta-spacecraft-comet-video/ |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=1 October 2016}}</ref> The characters were inspired by the [[JAXA]]'s "kawaii" characters, who portrayed a number of their spacecraft, such as ''[[Hayabusa2]]'' and ''[[Akatsuki (spacecraft)|Akatsuki]]'', with distinct [[anime]]-like personalities.<ref name="spacereview-cartoon">{{cite web |last1=Petty |first1=Chris |title=Rosetta and Philae: it's all about the feels! |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3089/1 |work=[[The Space Review]] |publisher=[[SpaceNews]] (Pocket Ventures, LLC.) |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228160931/http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3089/1 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=24 October 2016}}</ref> The script for each episode of the series is written by science communicators at the [[European Space Research and Technology Centre]], who kept close with mission operators and the producers at Design & Data.<ref name="spacereview-cartoon"/> Canonically, ''Rosetta'' and ''Philae'' are depicted as siblings, with ''Rosetta'' being the older sister, inspired by the spacecraft's feminine name, of ''Philae'', her younger brother. The ''[[Giotto (spacecraft)|Giotto]]'' spacecraft is also depicted as the duo's grandfather, whereas others in the [[Halley Armada]] as well as [[NASA]]'s ''[[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|Deep Impact]]'' and ''[[Stardust (spacecraft)|Stardust]]'' spacecraft are depicted as their cousins.<ref name="spacereview-cartoon"/>

=== ''Ambition'' ===
To promote the spacecraft's arrival at comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and the landing of ''Philae'' in 2014, a [[short film]] was produced by the European Space Agency with Polish [[visual effects]] production company [[Platige Image]]. Titled ''Ambition'', the film, shot in [[Iceland]], stars Irish actor [[Aidan Gillen]], known for his roles in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' and ''[[The Wire]]'', and Irish actress [[Aisling Franciosi]], also of ''Game of Thrones'' fame, and was directed by [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-nominated Polish director [[Tomasz Bagiński]].<ref name="bbc-ambition">{{cite web |last1=Amos |first1=Jonathan |title=Sci-fi short promotes Rosetta comet mission |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29759709 |website=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228141859/http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29759709 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=24 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chang |first1=Kenneth |title=Rosetta Mission Ends With Spacecraft's Dive Into Comet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/01/science/rosetta-spacecraft-to-end-mission-by-sinking-to-its-comet-companion.html?_r=0 |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |date=30 September 2016}}</ref> Set in the far future, ''Ambition'' centers around a discussion between a master, played by Gillen, discussing the importance of [[Wiktionary:ambition|ambition]] with his apprentice, played by Franciosi, using the ''Rosetta'' mission as an example of such.<ref name="universetoday-ambition">{{cite web |last1=Reyes |first1=Tim |title=Why Watch ESA Rosetta's Movie 'Ambition'? Because We Want to Know What is Possible |url=http://www.universetoday.com/115699/why-watch-esa-rosettas-movie-ambition-because-we-want-to-know-what-is-possible/ |website=[[Universe Today]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228135334/http://www.universetoday.com/115699/why-watch-esa-rosettas-movie-ambition-because-we-want-to-know-what-is-possible/ |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=23 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cofield |first1=Calla |title=Aiden Gillen, Littlefinger on 'Game of Thrones,' Stars in Comet Video |url=http://www.space.com/29656-game-of-throne-actor-rosetta-comet-video.html |website=[[Space.com]] |publisher=[[Purch Group]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228143839/http://www.space.com/29656-game-of-throne-actor-rosetta-comet-video.html |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=14 June 2015}}</ref> ''Ambition'' was premiered at the [[British Film Institute]]'s ''Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder'' [[film festival]] in [[London]] on 24 October 2014, three weeks before the landing of ''Philae'' on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Rosetta mission's 'ambition' spotlighted in film |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2014/11/11/rosettas-ambition-spotlighted-in-film/ |website=Spaceflight Now |publisher=Spaceflight Now, Inc. |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228142406/https://spaceflightnow.com/2014/11/11/rosettas-ambition-spotlighted-in-film/ |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=11 November 2014}}</ref> British [[science fiction]] author and former ESA employee [[Alastair Reynolds]] spoke about the film's message at the premiere, stating to the audience that "our distant descendants may look back to Rosetta with the same sense of admiration that we reserve for, say, [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]] or [[Ferdinand Magellan|Magellan]]."<ref name="bbc-ambition"/> The film's conception was the result of the BFI's inquiry to the ESA for a contribution to their celebration of science fiction, with the ESA taking the opportunity to promote the ''Rosetta'' mission through the festival.<ref name="bbc-ambition"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Burks |first1=Robin |title=Sci-fi short film 'Ambition' highlights ESA's Rosetta mission |url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/18655/20141024/sci-fi-short-film-ambition-highlights-esas-rosetta-mission.htm |website=Tech Times |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228144454/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/18655/20141024/sci-fi-short-film-ambition-highlights-esas-rosetta-mission.htm |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=24 October 2014}}</ref>

Critical reception of the film upon its premiere was mostly positive. Tim Reyes of ''[[Universe Today]]'' complimented the titular theme of ambition in the film, stating that it "shows us the forces at work in and around ESA", and that it "might accomplish more in 7 minutes than ''[[Gravity (2013 film)|Gravity]]'' did in 90."<ref name="universetoday-ambition"/> Ryan Wallace of ''[[IBT Media|The Science Times]]'' also gave praise to the film, writing, "whether you're a sci-fi fanatic, or simply an interested humble astronomer, the short clip will undoubtedly give you a new view of our solar system, and the research out there in space today."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Ryan |title=ESA Shows Ambition of Rosetta Mission—Sci Fi Film Reveals Importance of Mission |url=http://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/1016/20141024/esa-shows-ambition-of-rosetta-mission-sci-fi-film-reveals-importance-of-mission.htm |website=The Science Times |publisher=[[IBT Media]] |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228143241/http://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/1016/20141024/esa-shows-ambition-of-rosetta-mission-sci-fi-film-reveals-importance-of-mission.htm |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=24 October 2016}}</ref>

=== Media coverage ===
The entire mission was featured heavily in social media, with a Facebook account for the mission and both the satellite and the lander having an official Twitter account portraying a [[personification]] of both spacecraft. The [[hashtag]] "#CometLanding" gained widespread traction. A [[live streaming|live stream]] of the control centres was set up, as were multiple official and unofficial events around the world to follow ''Philae''{{'s}} landing on 67P.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Live_updates_Rosetta_mission_comet_landing |title=Live updates: ''Rosetta'' mission comet landing |date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Call_for_Media_Opportunities_to_follow_Rosetta_mission_s_historic_comet_landing |title=Call for Media Opportunities to Follow Rosetta Mission's Historic Comet Landing |publisher=European Space Agency |date=16 October 2014}}</ref> On 23 September 2016, [[Vangelis]] released the studio album ''[[Rosetta (Vangelis album)|Rosetta]]'' in honour of the mission,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.factmag.com/2016/07/29/vangelis-to-release-rosetta-album-inspired-by-comet-landing-mission/ |title=Vangelis to release Rosetta album inspired by comet landing mission |work=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]] |first=April Clare |last=Welsh |date=29 July 2016 |access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-space-rosetta-idUKKCN11S0K9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922222736/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-space-rosetta-idUKKCN11S0K9 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 September 2016 |title=Europe's Rosetta spacecraft to end epic trek with comet crash landing |work=[[Reuters]] |first1=Maria |last1=Sheahan |first2=Victoria |last2=Bryan |date=22 September 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref> which was used on 30 September in the "Rosetta's final hour" streaming video of the ESA Livestream event "Rosetta Grand Finale".<ref>{{cite AV media |url=http://livestream.com/ESA/rosettagrandfinale |title=Rosetta Grand Finale |work=[[Livestream]] |time=01:02:19-01:13:35 |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center" mode="packed" heights="145px" caption="Video reports by the [[German Aerospace Center]]">
File:CHASING A COMET - The Rosetta Mission.webm|About ''Rosetta''{{'s}} mission<br />(9 min., 1080p HD, English)
File:Landing on a Comet - The Rosetta Mission.webm|About ''Philae''{{'s}} landing<br/>(10 min., 1080p HD, English)
</gallery>
{{clear}}

== See also ==
{{Div col}}
* [[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|''Deep Impact'' (spacecraft)]]
* [[Giotto (spacecraft)|''Giotto'' (spacecraft)]]
* [[Halley Armada]]
* ''[[Hayabusa]]'' — successful sample-return mission to an asteroid
* [[List of missions to Mars]]
* [[Stardust (spacecraft)|''Stardust'' (spacecraft)]]
* [[Timeline of Solar System exploration]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikinews category|Rosetta mission}}
* [http://rosetta.esa.int/ ''Rosetta'' website] by ESA
* [https://sci.esa.int/rosetta ''Rosetta'' news site] by ESA
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070227112657/http://rosetta.jpl.nasa.gov/ ''Rosetta'' website] by NASA
* [https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/rosetta-philae/ ''Rosetta'' mission profile] by NASA
* [https://pdssbn.astro.umd.edu/data_sb/missions/rosetta/index.shtml ''Rosetta'' mission archive] at the NASA Planetary Data System

;Media
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/europeanspaceagency/sets/72157638315605535/ ''Rosetta'' processed image gallery] on Flickr, by ESA
* [https://imagearchives.esac.esa.int/index.php?/category/1 ''Rosetta'' raw image gallery] at ESA's ''Archive Image Browser''
* [http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Missions/Rosetta/%28class%29/image ''Rosetta'' image gallery] at ESA's ''Space in Images''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQuE5N3rwQ "''Rosetta''{{'s}} twelve-year journey in space"] on YouTube, by ESA
* [http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2014/11/Rosetta_landing_on_a_comet "''Rosetta'': landing on a comet"] by ESA
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnwwxZwUSCY "''Rosetta''{{'s}} journey around the comet"] on YouTube, by ESA
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH5crMuuf_0 "''Rosetta''{{'s}} final images"] on YouTube, by ESA
* [https://www.ted.com/talks/fred_jansen_how_to_land_on_a_comet "How to land on a comet"] by Fred Jansen, at [[TED (conference)|TED2015]]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/science/space/european-space-agencys-spacecraft-lands-on-comets-surface.html#permid=13314862 Landing News and Comments] (''[[The New York Times]]''; 12 November 2014)
{{Rosetta mission}}
{{Comet spacecraft}}
{{Mars spacecraft}}
{{European Space Agency}}
{{Planetary defense}}
{{Astrobiology}}
{{Solar System probes}}
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{{Orbital launches in 2004}}
{{2014 in space}}
{{2016 in space}}
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