Rosetta Gets an Amazing View as it Skims Past Mars

By Fraser Cain - February 26, 2007 at 12:35 PM UTC | Planetary Science

This absolutely stunning photograph was taken by ESA's Rosetta spacecraft during its recent flyby past Mars on Saturday. In order to receive a gravity boost from the planet, the spacecraft flew past only 1,000 km above the surface.

This image was actually taken by the Rosetta Lander Imaging System (CIVA), which is onboard the Philae lander system. This is the lander that will eventually detach from Rosetta and land on the surface of Comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. This flyby allowed engineers to test the lander's systems and view of the ground below it.

Rosetta will get another opportunity to test its systems in November 2007, when it does another Earth flyby to receive another gravity boost.

ESA News Release

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today, founding the website in March 1999. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast.