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Space Topics: Rosetta
Science Instruments
Orbiter instruments
Rosetta's instruments combine remote sensing techniques, such
as cameras and radio science measurements, with direct sensing systems
such as dust and particle analyzers. The instruments are provided by collaborative
efforts between scientific institutes in ESA member states and the USA.
Principal investigators in different European countries and America lead
the nationally funded collaborations.
Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (ALICE) will analyze gases in the coma and tail, measure the comet's production rates of water and carbon monoxide or dioxide, and provide information on the surface composition of the nucleus. Principal investigator: Alan Stern, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission (CONSERT) will probe the comet's interior by studying radio waves that are reflected and scattered by the nucleus. Principal investigator: Wlodek Kofman, Planetology Laboratory, Grenoble, France
Cometary Secondary Ion Mass Analyzer (COSIMA) will analyze the characteristics of dust grains emitted by the comet, such as their composition and whether they are organic or inorganic. Principal investigator: Jochen Kissel, Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching, Germany
Grain Impact Analyzer and Dust Accumulator (GIADA) will measure the number, mass, momentum and velocity distribution of dust grains coming from the comet nucleus and from other directions (reflected by solar radiation pressure). Principal investigator: Luigi Colangeli, Capodimonte Observatory, Naples, Italy
Micro-Imaging Dust Analysis System (MIDAS) will study the dust environment around the comet. It will provide information on particle population, size, volume and shape. Principal investigator: Willibald Riedler, Space Research Institute Graz, Austria
Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter (MIRO) will determine the abundances of major gases, the surface out-gassing rate and the nucleus sub-surface temperature. Principal investigator: Samuel Gulkis, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA USA
Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) is a wide-angle camera and narrow-angle camera to obtain high-resolution images of the comet's nucleus. Principal investigator: Horst Uwe Keller, Max-Planck-Institute fur Aeronomy, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany
Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) will determine the composition of the comet's atmosphere and ionosphere, the velocities of electrified gas particles and reactions in which they take part. Principal investigator: Hans Balsiger, University of Bern, Switzerland
Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC) will measure the physical properties of the nucleus; examine the structure of the inner coma; monitor cometary activity; and study the comet's interaction with the solar wind. Principal investigators: A. Eriksson, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden; J. Burch, SwRI, San Antonio, TX., United States; K-H Glassmeier, TU Braunschweig, Germany; R. Lundin, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna, Sweden; J. G. Trotignon, LPCE/CNRS, Orleans, France; C. Carr, Imperial College, United Kingdom.
Ion Composition Analyzer (ICA)
Principal investigator: Rickard Lundin, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna, Sweden
Ion and Electron Sensor (IES)
Principal investigator: James Burch, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
Langmuir Probe (LAP)
Principal investigator: Rolf Boström, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden
Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG)
Principal investigator: Karl-Heinz Glassmeier, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany
Mutual Impedance Probe (MIP)
Principal investigator: Jean Gabriel Trotignon, Environmental Physics and Chemistry Laboratory, Orléans, France
Plasma Interface Unit (PIU)
Principal investigator: Christopher Carr, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Lander instruments
Rosetta's lander payload -- Philae -- will study the composition and structure of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's nucleus with 10 state-of-the-art instruments. Philae also carries a Sampling Drilling and Distribution device (SD2), capable of drilling more than 20 centimeters/8 inches into the surface. The plans calls for Philae to collect samples, and deposit them in different 'ovens' or deliver them for microscope inspection. Principal investigators: Helmut Rosenbauer, Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Lindau, Germany; Jean-Pierre Bibring, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France.
Alpha-p-X-ray spectrometer (APXS) will detect alpha particles and X-rays from just 4 centimeters off the ground that will provide information on the elemental composition of the comet's surface. Principal investigator: Rudolf Rieder, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Mainz, Germany
Micro Cameras (CIVA) is an imaging system comprised of 7 micro-cameras (5 identical mono cameras, plus one stereo pair) that will take panoramic pictures of the surface, while a visible light microscope and coupled infrared spectrometer will study the composition, texture and albedo (reflectivity) of samples collected from the surface. Principal investigator: Jean-Pierre Bibring, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France
Radio Sounding, Nucleus Tomography (CONSERT) will probe the internal structure of the nucleus, by projecting radiowaves through the nucleus, which will be returned by a transponder on the lander. Principal investigator: Wlodek Kofman, Laboratoire de Planetologie, Grenoble, France
Evolved Gas Analyzer / elemental and molecular composition (COSAC) is one of two evolved gas analyzers onboard the lander and it will detect and identify complex organic molecules from their elemental and molecular composition. Principal investigator: Helmut Rosenbauer, Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Lindau, Germany
Evolved Gas Analyzer / isotopic composition (MODULUS Ptolemy) is the other evolved gas analyzer onboard and it will obtain accurate measurements of isotopic ratios of light elements; Principal investigator: Ian Wright, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
Measurements of Surface and Subsurface Properties (MUPUS) will use sensors on the lander's anchor, probe and exterior to measure the density, thermal and mechanical properties of the surface; Principal investigator: Tilman Spohn, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, Universität Münster, Germany
Magnetometer and Plasma Monitor (ROMAP) is a monitoring device that will study the local magnetic field and the comet/solar wind interaction; Hans-Ulrich Auster, Technische Universität, Braunschweig, Germany.
Rosetta Lander Imaging System (ROLIS) is basically a camera for taking high resolution images during descent, and stereo panoramic images of areas sampled by other instruments. Principal investigator: Stefano Mottola DLR, Berlin, Germany
Sampling, Drilling and Distribution Subsystem (SD2) is a drilling and sample retrieval instrument that will drill more than 20 centimeters/8 inches into the surface, collect samples, then deliver them to different ovens or for microscope inspection. Principal investigator: A. Ercoli-Finzi, Politecnico of Milan, Italy
Surface Electrical, Acoustic and Dust Impact Monitoring (SESAME) is comprised of three instruments that will measure properties of the comet's outer layers. The Cometary Acoustic Sounding Surface Experiment will measure the way sound travels through the surface. The Permittivity Probe will investigate its electrical characteristics, and the Dust Impact Monitor will measure dust falling back to the surface; Principal investigators: K. Seidensticker, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany; W. Schmidt, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland; Istvan Apathy, KFKI, Budapest, Hungary.
Links
ESA Science and Technology: Rosetta Home Page
http://rosetta.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=13
ESA Science and Technology: Rosetta at a Glance
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Rosetta/SEMYMF374OD_0.html
ESA Science and Technology: Rosetta About the Spacecraft
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Rosetta/ESAHVF7708D_0.html
ESA Science and Technology: The Rosetta Lander: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Rosetta/ESAMXF7708D_0.html
JPL Home Page for MIRO
http://mirowww.jpl.nasa.gov/
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