Rosetta is a probe launched in 2004 by the European Space Agency
and intended to study the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The craft studies
two asteroids, 2867 Steins and 21 Lutetia, before rendezvousing with the comet
in 2014. It then deploys a lander. This uses harpoons to anchor itself to the
surface, and has legs designed to dampen its initial impact. During its
week-long mission, the lander uses a variety of scientific instruments to
examine the surface and internal composition.*
Reference
Rosetta (spacecraft), Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_%28spacecraft%29
Accessed 18th July 2010.
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