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Rosetta

Rosetta was ESA's 2004-2016 comet-rendezvous mission. The Astrium-led orbiter used four planetary gravity assists and two asteroid encounters to reach Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, became the first spacecraft to rendezvous with and escort a comet, deployed the DLR-led Philae for the first comet landing, and concluded with a controlled descent onto the nucleus.

Rosetta
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Identity

Aliases
International Rosetta MissionRosetta comet missionESA Rosetta
Name
Rosetta
Status
completed

Details

Astronauts
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Description
Rosetta was ESA's 2004-2016 comet-rendezvous mission. The Astrium-led orbiter used four planetary gravity assists and two asteroid encounters to reach Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, became the first spacecraft to rendezvous with and escort a comet, deployed the DLR-led Philae for the first comet landing, and concluded with a controlled descent onto the nucleus.
End Date
2016-09-30
Launch Site
Outcome
Successful. Rosetta completed the first rendezvous and sustained escort of a comet, observed 67P through perihelion, delivered Philae for the first touchdown and in-situ science on a comet nucleus, returned extensive orbiter and lander data, and ended as planned in a controlled descent on September 30, 2016.
Program
Horizon 2000
Start Date
2004-03-02
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Creation Time
April 26, 2026 at 14:18:56 UTC
Updated Time
July 17, 2026 at 02:50:16 UTC

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