Comet Impact: July 4, 2005 Impact Velocity: 23,000 mph Spacecraft Size: Flyby spacecraft nearly as large as a Volkswagen Beetle automobile. Impactor spacecraft about the same dimensions as a typical living room coffee table.
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Principal Investigator, Dr. Michael A'Hearn and his science team want to find clues to the formation of the solar system and more about the structure and composition of comets by making a deep crater in Comet Tempel 1. The objectives for the mission are: 1. Observe how the crater forms 2. Measure the crater's depth and diameter 3. Measure the composition of the interior of the crater and its ejecta 4. Determine the changes in natural outgassing produced by the impact
Science Objective
Deep Impact Quick Facts
Mission/Instrument/Task Name: Objectives: Deep Impact
To study the pristine interior of a comet by excavating a crater more than 25 m deep and 100 m in diameter. 11/01/1999 01/12/2005 Delta II Eastern test range (Kennedy Space Center, Florida) Encounter date 0600 4 July 2005 UT Impactor separation at 24 hrs prior to impact Approach solar phase angle: 63° Impactor approach velocity: 10.2 km/s Flyby S/C closest approach: 500 km End of Mission: Data return until 08/2005 (28 days)
Start Date: Launch Date: Launch Vehicle: Launch Site: Mission Events: (Rendezvous (distance)/ Landing (location)):
End of Project Date: Launch Mass (kg):
03/2006 (includes 9 months of data analysis) 1020 kg
Launch Vehicle
Flyby Spacecraft
Flight System
Impactor
Instruments
Comet Tempel 1
The interactive Path
Main Presentation
An artist's rendition of the flyby spacecraft releasing the impactor, which will happen 24 hours before the collision
Crossword 1 Crossword 2 Crossword 3
Word search game 1
Word search game 2
Word search game 3
Brain Twister
Other Brain Twisters
Quiz
Fun facts Colour Page Prepare model 1 Prepare Model 2 Challenge Questions