Attitude dynamics during landing on an active comet

摘要

On May 2012 the European Space Agency Rosetta spacecraft will rendezvous with Comet P/Wirtanen and begin an in-situ investigation of the cometary nucleus. One, or possibly two, probes will be deployed to analyze the surface material. The surface science packages (SSP's) are small and will carry no means for active attitude or trajectory control during the descent. It is crucial for the probe to land in an upright position to ensure a proper data relay back to Earth via the orbiting spacecraft. During deployment, stability will be affected by an incoming stream of gas and dust particles caused by the sublimation of surface ices, but this may actually be used to stabilize the vehicle and ensure an upright orientation upon impact on the surface.