Ariel ESA Exoplanet Mission

Comet Interceptor’s probe proves structurally sound

Preparing for launch in 2029, ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission is currently in the building and testing stage of development. What you see here is the Structural Qualification Model (SQM) of Probe B2, one of the two small probes that will detach from the main spacecraft when the mission’s target comet is nearby.
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Comet Interceptor’s journey

ESA’s Comet Interceptor will be the first mission to visit a comet coming directly from the outer reaches of the Sun's realm, carrying material untouched since the dawn of the Solar System.

Such objects are difficult to get close to because we can only detect them when they fly near the Sun, leaving little time to plan and launch a mission. That’s why, after launch, Comet Interceptor will first be 'parked' in space. While waiting, the spacecraft will orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, a stable gravitational point located 1.5 million kilometres directly 'behind' the Earth as viewed from the Sun.

When a suitable pristine comet is detected by Earth-based telescopes, Comet Interceptor will travel to meet it. Once at the intercept location, the main spacecraft will release two probes to observe the comet from multiple directions at the same time.

Comet Interceptor is an ESA-led mission in collaboration with JAXA.

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/10/Comet_Interceptor_s_journey
 
Comet Interceptor instruments

ESA’s Comet Interceptor will be the first mission to visit a comet coming directly from the outer reaches of the Sun's realm, carrying material untouched since the dawn of the Solar System.

Comet Interceptor comprises a main spacecraft and two smaller probes (with one probe built by JAXA). The mission will carry a total of ten scientific instruments, each made up of one or more sensors. By taking measurements of the target comet from different locations at the same time, Comet Interceptor will construct a 3D map of the comet and the gas and dust around it.

Comet Interceptor is an ESA-led mission in collaboration with JAXA.
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Related article: Comet Interceptor's spacecraft and instruments

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/02/Comet_Interceptor_instruments
 

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