Space Science Reviews

, Volume 10, Issue 2, pp 217–229 | Cite as

Cometary probes

  • Rhea Lüst
Article
Received:

Abstract

The studies carried out in the U.S.A. and in Europe to investigate the possibilities and the scientific merit of a cometary probe are surveyed and reviewed. The scientific objectives of such a mission are given and the conditions are stated which a feasible comet must fulfill. Further, proposals of the different groups for the instrumentation of the probe are discussed.

Though not all the groups propose the same comets for a first mission, due to different selection criteria, they agree that a mission to a ‘new’, non-periodic comet is out of consideration at present, and that a mission to a periodic comet, though possible in principle, presents various difficulties with respect to orbit accuracy and energy requirements. It is emphasized that a mission to Comet Halley in 1986 would be of special value.

Keywords

Europe Selection Criterion Energy Requirement Scientific Objective Scientific Merit 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© D. Reidel Publishing Company 1969

Authors and Affiliations

  • Rhea Lüst
    • 1
  1. 1.Max-Planck-Institut für Physik und AstrophysikMünchenGermany

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