Comet Nucleus Sample Return Mission

Abstract

The Rosetta/CNSR mission is one of ESA’s four Cornerstone missions to which ESA has committed itself in its approved long term plan, Horizon 2000. Additionally, this mission has been categorised in NASA Solar System Exploration Committee’s augmented programme as a mission of high scientific merit. The Rosetta mission constitutes the next logical step in cometary exploration after fly-by and rendez-vous missions. It can be regarded as one of the most ambitious space endeavours imaginable with present day technology and it is therefore an ideal candidate for international cooperation. Within this spirit a Science Definition Team was appointed in September ’85 by ESA and NASA to study and define a “cooperative ESA/NASA mission which is scientifically excellent, technically feasible and financially and programmatically acceptable to NASA and ESA”. At the same time several technical studies have been accomplished in NASA and ESA, the objective of which was to conduct an assessment of candidate mission concepts and to define key design, operations and technology requirements. These studies have by now provided a technical baseline to sufficient extent to generate performance, schedule planning and cost data. Initial steps are being undertaken to establish a joint mission implementation plan for a mission to start around year 2000.