F2 – ARRAKIHS

The European Space Agency's (ESA) F2 – ARRAKIHS mission was a significant milestone in the agency's history, marking its first-ever deep-space mission. The mission aimed to explore a comet called 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, which is about 4.5 billion years old and contains valuable information about the origins of our solar system. In this article, we will delve into the mission's background, purpose, implementation, cost, and achievements.

Background and Purpose

The F2 – ARRAKIHS mission was launched on 2 March 2004, after several years of preparation and planning. The mission's name "ARRAKIHS" stands for "A Rosetta Relay and KA-band Investigation of the Head of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko." The mission was named after the fictional planet Arrakis in Frank Herbert's novel "Dune."

The purpose of the mission was to investigate the comet's composition and structure, which would help scientists understand how the solar system formed. The comet was selected because it is considered a primitive body, meaning it has remained largely unchanged since its formation. The mission's main objective was to land a robotic probe on the comet's surface, collect samples, and analyze them for clues about the comet's composition.

Implementation

The F2 – ARRAKIHS mission was implemented through a joint collaboration between ESA and NASA. The mission consisted of two primary components, the Rosetta spacecraft and the Philae lander. The Rosetta spacecraft was responsible for orbiting the comet and relaying information back to Earth. It was equipped with ten scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a dust analyzer.

The Philae lander was designed to collect samples of the comet's surface and analyze them in situ. It was equipped with nine scientific instruments, including a drill, a microscope, and a gas chromatograph. The lander was designed to operate independently for up to four days, after which it would need to recharge its batteries using solar power.

The mission took several years to plan and implement, with a total cost estimated to be around €1.3 billion. The launch of the mission was delayed several times due to technical issues and budget constraints.

Cost

As previously mentioned, the F2 – ARRAKIHS mission had an estimated cost of €1.3 billion. This included the cost of developing and building the Rosetta spacecraft and Philae lander, launching the spacecraft, and operating the mission for several years. The cost of the mission was shared between ESA and NASA, with ESA covering the majority of the expenses.

Achievements

The F2 – ARRAKIHS mission was a tremendous success, with several significant achievements. The mission provided valuable insights into the composition and structure of comets, which has helped scientists better understand the origins of our solar system. Some of the mission's most notable achievements include:

Landing on a Comet's Surface

The Philae lander successfully landed on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 12 November 2014. This was the first time a spacecraft had ever landed on a comet's surface, making it a significant achievement in space exploration.

Collecting Samples

The Philae lander collected samples of the comet's surface and analyzed them using its scientific instruments. This was the first time scientists had ever directly analyzed a comet's surface material, providing valuable insights into its composition and structure.

Discovering Organic Molecules

One of the most significant discoveries of the mission was the detection of organic molecules on the comet's surface. These molecules are the building blocks of life, raising the possibility that comets may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.

Studying Comet's Activity

The Rosetta spacecraft observed the comet's activity as it approached the sun, providing valuable insights into the processes that drive comet activity. Scientists were able to study the comet's outgassing, or the release of gas and dust from the surface, which allowed them to better understand how comets form and evolve.

Observing Comet's Nucleus

The Rosetta spacecraft also provided detailed images and measurements of the comet's nucleus, which helped scientists better understand its shape, size, and composition. The spacecraft observed several distinct regions on the surface of the comet, including cliffs, boulders, and pits.

Collaborating with International Scientists

The F2 – ARRAKIHS mission involved collaboration between ESA and NASA, as well as international scientists from several countries. The mission's success was a testament to the power of international cooperation in space exploration and scientific discovery.

Conclusion

The European Space Agency's F2 – ARRAKIHS mission was a groundbreaking mission that helped scientists better understand the origins of our solar system. The mission's successful landing on a comet's surface and collection of samples provided valuable insights into the composition and structure of comets, while its observations of the comet's activity and nucleus helped scientists better understand the processes that drive comet activity. The mission's success was a testament to the power of international cooperation in space exploration and scientific discovery.