European Space Agency’s Rosetta Spacecraft Arrives at Comet Destination After 10 Years

The European Space Agency‘s Rosetta spacecraft has arrived at its comet destination after a journey of 10 years. Rosetta was launched in 2004 with the intended goal of reaching Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P), following the comet as it orbits the Sun, and eventually dropping a lander (Philae) on the surface of the comet. The mission’s next order of business will be scanning for a landing site for Philae. The New York Times has more on the mission and its arrival.

images via ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team