EPISODE · Sep 4, 2008 · 6 MIN
Rosetta
from ESApod, audio and video from space · host European Space Agency ESA
Steins is Rosetta's first nominal scientific target. Based upon ground-based observations, it has been classified as an 'E-type' asteroid, composed mainly of silicates and basalts, but its properties are not known in detail. For these reasons, it has been selected as one of the two asteroids that Rosetta will study, from among those that were within reach of the mission. The study of asteroids is extremely important as they represent a sample of Solar System material at different stages of evolution – key to understanding the origin of our own planet and of our planetary neighbourhood. The spacecraft will rendezvous with the asteroid in the course of its first incursion into the asteroid belt, while on its way to comet 67/P Churyumov-Gerasimenko.ESApod audio programme
What this episode covers
On Friday, 5 September 2008, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft will meet with Asteroid Steins, passing by at 800 km at 20:58 CEST, at a distance of 360 million km from Earth
NOW PLAYING
Rosetta
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m