Today the Rosetta spacecraft "crashed" into 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko at about 2 miles per hour. Okay, maybe it was a soft landing. So now the comet hosts two ESA spacecraft - Rosetta and the earlier probe Philae.
The mission taught us more about both comets and the early development of our own planet. For instance, the theory that the Earth's water came from earlier comments bombarding the surface seems less certain since the water on the comet was not too dissimilar. However, the question about the role of comets in the development of life was more positive.
The mission taught us more about both comets and the early development of our own planet. For instance, the theory that the Earth's water came from earlier comments bombarding the surface seems less certain since the water on the comet was not too dissimilar. However, the question about the role of comets in the development of life was more positive.
Rosetta project scientist Matt Taylor promised the science was just beginning:
Inevitably, we now have new mysteries to solve. The comet hasn’t given up all of its secrets yet, and there are sure to be many surprises hidden in this incredible archive. So don’t go anywhere yet – we’re only just beginning.
