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kane007
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Though the primary mission is rendezvous and sub probe landing on comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko between August and November 2014, Rosetta will be investigating other targets enroute. <br /><br />Two such targets are upcoming in the next few months: <br />1. 2007/01/02 Rosetta will use its on-board camera OSIRIS in this 36-hour observation campaign pf asteroid 21-Lutetia. This lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in the Asteroid Belt. <br />2. 2007/02/25 Rosetta will swing around Mars for a gravity assist. Science observations should last through then to the end of March.<br /><br />Martian closest approach will be 250 kilometres. 25 minute blackout behind Mars during which time the probe will be placed in a “slumber” mode as the solar panels will be in shadow. The Philae lander can however use its own independent power system during this to collect data.<br /><br />Further rendezvous are: <br />2nd Earth Gravity Assist November 2007<br />3rd Earth Gravity Assist November 2009<br />2nd 21-Lutetia Flyby July 2010 – 2000 kilometres<br /><br />Rosetta will use its imaging system and imaging spectrometers to gather data about the surface and atmosphere of Mars and its chemical composition. It will also collect data about the atmosphere's interaction with the solar wind and the Martian radiation environment, and it will image the two natural satellites of Mars: Phobos and Deimos.<br /><br /><b>LINKS:</b><br />Nasa<br />SpaceDaily<br />