Could we ‘catch’ a comet before it hits Earth? | Rosita Kokotanekova | TEDxVitosha

Key Concepts

Comets, asteroids, solar system formation, planetary defense, space missions, Comet Interceptor, Oort cloud, impact events, origin of life, curiosity-driven research.

Comet Interceptor Mission

The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), is funding the Comet Interceptor mission, a project aimed at studying a pristine comet coming from the outer reaches of the solar system. The mission has been in preparation for five years and is expected to launch at the end of the decade. The mission's target is a comet currently located between the orbits of Uranus and Neptune, traveling at 25,000 kilometers per hour. It will take several years for the comet to become bright enough to be detected by powerful telescopes.

The Significance of Comets and Asteroids

Asteroids and comets are relics from the early solar system. Asteroids, formed closer to the sun, are rocky bodies, while comets, formed in the outer solar system, contain ice. Comets preserve ices and remain almost unchanged until they approach the sun, where they release dust and gas, forming their tails. Early impacts of these objects on Earth are believed to have delivered the organics and water necessary for the formation of life. However, later impacts have also posed threats, such as the asteroid impact that contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The Speaker's Journey into Cometary Science

Initially, the speaker was not particularly interested in the solar system, considering it basic knowledge. However, the unexpected disintegration of a comet that was predicted to be visible to the naked eye sparked her curiosity and led her to pursue a career in cometary science. This event highlighted the unpredictable nature of comets and the gaps in our understanding of them.

Space Missions: A Closer Look

Space missions allow for close examination of celestial objects, providing information not accessible from Earth-based observations. Missions include flybys, landings, and sample return missions. Missions to asteroids provide insights into the inner solar system, while missions to comets help us understand the outer solar system and the role of ice.

The Challenge of Studying Pristine Comets

Previous comet missions have only visited comets that have been processed by the sun's heat, making it difficult to determine the original composition of their ices. The Comet Interceptor mission aims to study a truly unchanged comet coming from the Oort cloud, a distant region containing trillions of comets. These comets are difficult to find because they are faint when far from the sun, and by the time they become detectable, there is limited time to prepare a mission.

Comet Interceptor's Unique Strategy

Comet Interceptor addresses this challenge by adopting a "park and wait" strategy. The spacecraft will be launched into a stable orbit and wait for a suitable comet to be discovered. Once a target is identified and evaluated for safety and trajectory, the spacecraft will be sent to intercept it. The encounter will last only a few hours, during which a carefully choreographed sequence of instrument commands will be executed to gather data. The mission includes two probes that will get close to the comet.

Planetary Defense Implications

The Comet Interceptor mission will test the strategy of parking in space until a target is identified, which has implications for planetary defense. This approach could be used to quickly reach and deflect potentially hazardous asteroids or comets that are discovered with little warning.

The Importance of Curiosity

The speaker emphasizes that space exploration is not only for scientific and practical purposes but also to inspire and motivate humanity. The mission teaches us that success comes when curiosity drives preparation, and being prepared puts us in the right spot for opportunities. Curiosity is the driving force that leads to success.

Conclusion

The Comet Interceptor mission represents a significant step forward in our understanding of comets and the early solar system. Its innovative "park and wait" strategy not only enables the study of pristine comets but also has potential applications for planetary defense. The mission underscores the importance of curiosity as a driving force for scientific discovery and human progress.