2007
Journal Article
Title

SESAME - an experiment of the ROSETTA lander philae: Objectives and general design

Abstract
SESAME is an instrument complex built in international co-operation and carried by the Rosetta lander Philae intended to land on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. The main goals of this instrument suite are to measure mechanical and electrical properties of the cometary surface and the shallow subsurface as well as of the particles emitted from the cometary surface. Most of the sensors are mounted within the six soles of the landing gear feet in order to provide good contact with or proximity to the cometary surface. The measuring principles, instrument designs, technical layout, operational concepts and the results from the first in-flight measurements are described. We conclude with comments on the consequences of the last minute change of the target comet and how to improve and to preserve the knowledge during the long-duration Rosetta mission.
Author(s)
Seidensticker, K.J.
DLR, Institute of Space Simulation, D-51170 Köln, Germany
Möhlmann, D.
DLR, Institute of Planetary Research, D-12489 Berlin, Germany
Apathy, I.
KFKI, Atomic Energy Research Institute, H-1525 Budapest, Hungary
Schmidt, W.
FMI, Space Research Division, FIN-00560 Helsinki, Finland
Thiel, K.
University of Cologne, Dept. of Nuclear Chemistry, D-50674 Köln, Germany
Arnold, W.
Fraunhofer-Institut für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfverfahren IZFP  
Fischer, H.-H.
University of Cologne, Dept. of Nuclear Chemistry, D-50674 Köln, Germany
Kretschmer, M.
Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, D-85741 Garching, Germany
Madlener, D.
University of Cologne, I. Institute of Physics, D-50674 Köln, Germany
Péter, A.
KFKI, Atomic Energy Research Institute, H-1525 Budapest, Hungary
Trautner, R.
RSSD/SCI-SB, ESA/ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, NL-22200AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Schieke, S.
GE Inspection Technologies, D-50354 Hürth, Germany
Journal
DOI
Language
English
Keyword(s)