Abstract
In situ (and sample return) space missions are the most promising tools to investigate the origin and evolution of comet nuclei. We present the instruments and investigations that will be performed with PHILAE (the ROSETTA Lander) on comet 67P Churyumov–Gerasimenko, starting in November 2014, ten years after launch. The rationale and the performance of the scientific instruments is briefly presented along with a description of the Lander mission (separation, descent, landing, operation on the comet surface both short-term and long-term) and the status of the mission (results of commissioning and cruise check-outs and science investigations).
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Jens Biele has been the Payload Manager for Philae until commissioning, S. Ulamec is the Project Manager. Current Lead Scientists are Jean-Pierre Bibring (IAS, Paris, France) and Herrmann Böhnhardt (MPS, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany).
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Biele, J., Ulamec, S. Capabilities of Philae, the Rosetta Lander. Space Sci Rev 138, 275–289 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-007-9278-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-007-9278-z