PC Pals Forum

General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 20:25

Title: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 20:25

Europe's Rosetta probe will make its third and final flyby of Earth on Friday as it seeks to position itself to chase down a comet in 2014.

The spacecraft's whip around the planet will give it the extra speed it needs to take it out to the rendezvous location near Jupiter.

(https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsimg.bbc.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F46720000%2Fjpg%2F_46720890_osiris_esa_466.jpg&hash=df4d06a03c0d307a552840c495b9a19f50079a5b)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8355873.stm

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 21:20

Five years after it's launch and it's back where it started!  Bloody SatNav strikes again!   ;D  It's not the first comet probe but it's certainly the most sophisticated as the lander is actually going to attach itself to the comet in order to conduct tests using a myriad of clever instruments which will analyze its composition and monitor activity.  In 2014 I will be even older than I am now!   :bawl:

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 21:24

So will we all - hopefully!  ;)

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: sam on November 12, 2009, 21:37

hopefully I will be younger...

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 21:43

Any younger and you will be pre-pubescent Sam.  Lizzie would be arrested!   ;D

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 22:25

Quote from: sam on November 12, 2009, 21:37

hopefully I will be younger...

So, that's what this astronomy sh*t is all about - he's learning time travel!   :woot:

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 22:51

The new Doctor!   8-)

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 22:52

Who?

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: sam on November 12, 2009, 22:55

 :laugh:

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 22:58

We refuse to change nappies Sam so you had better not go too far back!   :laugh:

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: sam on November 12, 2009, 23:10

sometimes I wish I could go back a year and change things.. but then again i'd probably make the same stupid mistakes but slightly differently!

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 23:13

Don't we all!   ;)

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 23:16

Mine would be even worse!   :)x

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 23:27

Well, you'd have another three cruises to look forward to!  ;D

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 23:30

I like that idea!   ;D 

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 23:30

You mean, you haven't booked any more yet?

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Clive on November 13, 2009, 08:31

Yes I have, but not until next year!   :D

Title: Re: Rosetta to make final home call
Post by: Simon on November 13, 2009, 08:34

That long? :)x