On the 6th the Rosetta approached to a distance of 62 miles, thus making it the first spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet. Subsequent steps will include entering its orbit, dropping to a distance of 19 miles from it, and then eventually launching its robotic lander the Philae.
The lander is capable of analyzing soil samples, chemical element composition, various measurements of the nucleus, and more. This will be the most detailed study of a comet that has ever been committed.
Landing something onto the surface of any space faring object is difficult enough, but landing on a comet has a couple more potential pitfalls. Low surrounding gravity means that even a slight mishap could send the Philae careening off into space.
If the surface is too soft than the lander may sink or have its instruments obstructed, too hard and it may get jostled as it lands damaging it and resulting in a mission failure. Being proactive the lander has been outfitted with ice screws and harpoons to ensure that Philae can handle the landing.
The comet's path is leading it towards the sun, and by August 2015 it will begin its closest approach. As it approaches it will heat up and vent its contents out into space. With the Philae and Rosetta standing by to watch they will take first hand readings of what happens as the comet brakes up.
Studying the comet can give scientists insight into the kinds of organic compounds, often the building blocks for life, that exist on them. There are also hypothesis that exist explaining that the water on Earth had come from comets like these striking the planet.
The video above shows the satellites path and specific dates for launch, reaching orbit, and landing.
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