Comment The Rosetta project (Score 1) 227
The Rosetta project just fascinates me.
The lander measures about 1 meter across, 80 cm in height. ESA scientists managed to cram 9 science instruments on board, weighing altogether not more than 21 kg. Earth sized versions of some of these instruments (for example: I believe there is a mass spectrometer on board) are as large as the lander itself, if not bigger.
Also think of the duration of this project. From designing, building the spacecraft, to 9 years flight time and the processing of science data afterwards certainly must be keeping some people occupied for perhaps 15 years. (Just think, suppose you can't get along with your manager for 15 years ;-)
For those of you who want to know more about Rosetta, check ESA's Rosetta website.
The lander measures about 1 meter across, 80 cm in height. ESA scientists managed to cram 9 science instruments on board, weighing altogether not more than 21 kg. Earth sized versions of some of these instruments (for example: I believe there is a mass spectrometer on board) are as large as the lander itself, if not bigger.
Also think of the duration of this project. From designing, building the spacecraft, to 9 years flight time and the processing of science data afterwards certainly must be keeping some people occupied for perhaps 15 years. (Just think, suppose you can't get along with your manager for 15 years
For those of you who want to know more about Rosetta, check ESA's Rosetta website.
