Emily Lakdawalla • Sep 30, 2016
Rosetta is gone
Today there is one less spacecraft returning science data from beyond Earth. The European Space Operations Centre received the final transmission from Rosetta at 11:19 September 30, UT. A very quiet control center and press room watched as the strong signal from Rosetta’s high-gain antenna suddenly vanished. A few people applauded, but the mood here is subdued.
One of the last moments before #Rosetta's controlled impact. This feels really weird. @ESA_Rosetta @esaoperations #esa @esa #comet #space pic.twitter.com/VQWXy6jMmq
— Andrzej Olchawa (@aolchawa) September 30, 2016
@elakdawalla :') pic.twitter.com/MMvnAP8ljA
— Erwin Ho (@erwinho84) September 30, 2016
The spacecraft transmitted scientific data all the way down to just meters above the surface and seconds before impact. A few instruments shared live science updates via Twitter.
At 7 km, I still only see solar wind. 67P is holding its breath waiting for us? @Rosetta_RPC @ESA_Rosetta #CometLanding
— RPCLAP on Rosetta (@RPC_LAP) September 30, 2016
Mission complete: @ESA_Rosetta’s journey ends in daring descent to the comet #CometLanding https://t.co/RLgDxdio3b pic.twitter.com/81hGscPDc8
— ESA Science (@esascience) September 30, 2016
Only a few km to go and still very low density. Seems I am going to rest in a quiet place. #GoodbyeRosetta #CometLanding
— RPCLAP on Rosetta (@RPC_LAP) September 30, 2016
Sharp plasma density drop 10-15 minutes before impact, exciting!! Thank you dearest RPCLAP, @Rosetta_RPC and @ESA_Rosetta from all of us
— RPCLAP on Rosetta (@RPC_LAP) September 30, 2016
From #67P with love: a last image, taken 51 metres before #CometLanding #MissionComplete https://t.co/yiSnxDrnba pic.twitter.com/MNuz622tNJ
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) September 30, 2016
The last housekeeping telemetry packet received from #Rosetta-Alice was at 10:39:00.6, just a few seconds before impact.#CometLanding v2.0
— Joel Parker (@joelwmparker) September 30, 2016
But today is really more about the moment than about the data. As usual, artists were inspired...
LOOK AT THE AMAZING PLUSH COMET THAT MATTIAS MALMER @3Dmattias MADE pic.twitter.com/sTEkOMr35v
— Emily Lakdawalla (@elakdawalla) September 30, 2016
ロゼッタとフィラエとチュリモフ・ゲラシメンコ彗星 #Rosetta #CometLanding #GoodbyeRosetta pic.twitter.com/4plPgQCxZq
— キラ(:3_ヽ)_うすゴジ (@aikawakira) September 30, 2016
xkcd has the untold #CometLanding story https://t.co/xDPqa0w9eR pic.twitter.com/lXGTXwOiVC
— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) September 30, 2016
Heartbreakingly:
#Rosetta, is that you? #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) September 30, 2016
When @chrislintott and I saw these images from the final Rosetta cartoon, we both needed hugs. https://t.co/QjmFEAwx4V pic.twitter.com/BUBGkIkzXh
— Emily Lakdawalla (@elakdawalla) September 30, 2016
Data from these last hours will trickle out slowly, over time. The final NavCam images were taken right after the final maneuver. This is the last view ever taken by Rosetta's NavCam:
And here is one of the OSIRIS images taken midway through the descent.
I'll post more pictures and facts later. For now: Farewell, Rosetta. You were a good spacecraft.
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