10 years since Rosetta

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

While sipping away my morning nightshift coffee in the briefing room behind the MCR (Main Control Room), Andrea Accomazzo, the Spacecraft Operations Manager at ESOC (European Space Operations Centre) called my name (he was one of the few staff members who knew it) and asked if I wanted to see something special. I woke up, nodded, and followed him. What I saw was a room full of elderly scientists staring at a little 12-inch laptop. Soon after, the first images ever taken from a comet were downloaded on this tiny laptop screen. This was one of the rare once-in-a-lifetime moments. I am still more than grateful to Andrea for making me feel part of this historic event. Thank you, Andrea, I'll try not to cry. I am grateful to have gotten to know you, you are truly special.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

My heart for ESA’s space missions has grown so much from trying to understand and support them. It isn't easy in the current ESOC culture, but moments like that keep me motivated to try to do and give my best.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I was not involved in the Rosetta mission. At that time, I was already retired, a former particle physicist and programmer, but interested in the progress of astrophysics.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

The Rosetta images increased my interest in astrophysics and made me follow the recent news of the Universe more closely. Three of them come immediately to my mind. First, the observation of the first gravitational wave (GW150914) in 2015, published in 2016 by the LIGO and VIRGO collaborations. Next, in coinciding with the onset of the COVID pandemic in April 2020, the flyby of Earth by BepiColombo and the breathtaking images of the Earth taken by the spacecraft. Finally, one year later, I was touched deeply by the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope on Christmas Day in 2021, where I watched the last stage of the Ariane rocket saying “Goodbye” to the telescope flying away over the Red Sea.

A year ago, in July, a relative sent me via e-mail the photo below, which she had taken during the previous sunset. While this may be immensely less important than the satellites of Jupiter discovered by Galileo 400 years ago, this optical effect can be seen as a curtain drawn away and revealing new marvels. Actually, we managed to explain the split of the sky by these anticrepuscular rays, but this is another story...

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

Rosetta is the first space mission I closely followed, when I was only around 15 years old. I remember seeing the first images of Comet 67P taken by Rosetta, and then following Philae's landing (and bouncing). At the end of Rosetta's mission, I was eating with some friends at a restaurant, and I remember following the spacecraft’s descent to the comet live. That was a sad moment, but a good one to share with friends, and to remember as an awesome mission.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

The Rosetta mission started my long journey of following the life of space missions, especially interplanetary ones. I've started my Twitter (and now BlueSky) account where I share space news, and I like to play with images from very different probes and missions to make people aware of the beautiful things humanity is doing in the sky. I hope that by sharing these, I make people dream the same way I did and still do. Now, thanks to the spark ignited by Rosetta, I'm studying robotics and space engineering to build the next generation of space exploring robots! Thank you Rosetta and thank you ESA!

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

In 2014 I was a little year 8 student at secondary school in the UK. Maths class was never my favourite, but that week was different. Rosetta was making its final approach to Comet 67P, and my teacher had plans to livestream the touchdown. Back then I was not up to date with current spaceflight, but I had always been intrigued by the Space Shuttle and the Apollo missions, so it was exciting to witness something new. We spent all of our class with the live stream in the background while we discussed past, present and future advancements in space, a wild grin on my face. The notion of a constantly expanding Universe has since then rattled my mind. That day sparked a need to know more and brought a focus to my future career path. I was fortunate to gain such clarity in what I wanted to do at such a young age, not to mention the stubbornness to stick to it.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

Every career choice I made since Rosetta sparked my initial curiosity has been firmly focused on what lies above us. With a growing interest in geology alongside space, I quickly realised planetary science was what I wanted to do. After completing A-levels in Physics, Chemistry and Geography, I moved to the University of Manchester to pursue a master’s degree in Planetary Science, hoping to study samples from bodies like Comet 67P and the then recently-launched OSIRIS-REX mission to Bennu.

After 3 years of “nerding out” in Manchester, I headed into my fourth and final year having studied samples from Apollo and numerous meteorites. But something was still missing. It was a normal Tuesday in the lab, working on shatter cone samples for my final project on impact craters, when my lecturer beckoned me over.

Loaded into the scanning electron microscope (SEM) machine was none other than a slice of Bennu, returned by OSIRIS-REX and currently being studied in my lab. Had I not marvelled at Rosetta that lowly day in 2014, I would most likely not have seen Bennu in 2024, and I may not have become a planetary scientist today.

Thank you Rosetta and thank you Mr. Hutchinson!

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I covered the final part of the mission as a science TV reporter and that event will stay forever in my heart as one the most moving experiences. I have shared that joy with my kids Alessandro and Filipe. It was for sure one of the best moments of my life.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

I am still in contact with some of the mission’s operations team members, who I consider my friends today. I am also writing a novel about the Rosetta mission and ESOC (European Space Operations Centre). I hope it will be ready soon.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I first heard about the Rosetta mission at a lecture by Dr. Paolo Ferri in 2013, where he explained the complex 10-year trajectory of the spacecraft. I had never seen a trajectory so beautiful and complicated. When Dr. Ferri told us how the European Space Agency (ESA) was going to wake up Rosetta from its hibernation, I was thrilled and started taking an interest in space engineering. Since then, I have never looked back.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

I have studied space engineering, worked on many interesting space projects (like lunar habitat radiation and lunar rover navigation) in Europe and the best of all, I am now involved with a research group to design a spacecraft trajectory to Titan! Had it not been for that day when I got introduced to Rosetta's trajectory, I wonder if I would have realised that astrodynamics is my calling!

‘The Rosetta Mission: A Journey of Many Minds’

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

While working for Airbus in Stevenage I was responsible for the Reaction Wheels that steered and pointed Rosetta throughout its mission. After passing asteroid Steins in 2008, one of the RWAs (Reaction Wheel Assemblies, used to control the spacecraft’s orientation) started showing signs of increased friction. This resulted in the wheel being switched off after the encounter with asteroid Lutetia. A second wheel also started to experience increased friction before the spacecraft went into hibernation. Despite repeatedly being told that increasing the control temperature on the bearing heater was not possible, I kept asking. This time a new team member agreed it could be done. During hibernation we discovered there was a correlation between the friction noise and temperature and rising it by just 2 °C solved the problem.

Whilst working at Airbus I always made a Christmas cake for the team. The 2014 cake included a photo of what I consider to be the best selfie ever taken: Comet 67P as viewed from Philae, with the solar panel in the foreground. I still use this image in STEM talks at local schools to inspire students with my career journey.   

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

I retired in December 2018 after working at Stevenage for over 43 years in what I can only describe as the most exciting job on and off this world. Whilst at Stevenage, I became a STEM Ambassador, visiting schools to talk about my career. I still give these talks, and I use the picture of Comet 67P taken by Philae in my presentations, describing it as the best selfie ever taken.

I'm often asked which of all the projects I worked on was my favourite. I have two: the Ariane Release Gear or HDRM (Hold Down Release Mechanism) for launch pads ELA-1 and ELA-2, and Rosetta. The Ariane HDRM because it was the first big project that I worked on after qualifying – I cut my teeth on it, so to speak – and Rosetta because it was such a groundbreaking, inspirational project. Many things went well during the production, we delivered it exactly on time and although there were issues while in orbit, we stuck at it and worked together with ESOC (European Space Operations Centre) and resolved them.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

In 2014, following a personal loss within my family, I developed a profound interest in the enigma surrounding the origins of humanity and the emergence of life in the Universe. This pivotal moment coincided with the Rosetta probe's journey. As it approached its target, the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, it inspired me to create a painting that captures this mission, aiming to illustrate the stark contrast between humanity's remarkable technological advancements and the vastness and harshness of these remote environments. The use of black, gray, and white tones in this artwork, reminiscent of images from deep space, evoke a sense of isolation and an infinite journey. Titled ‘07/10/2014 – 16 Km from Comet 67P/Churyumov Gerasimenko’, it embodies the convergence of figurative art at the outermost boundaries of human understanding. It is my intention that this art piece serves as a vessel for the most profound questions regarding the origins of life amidst the profound darkness of the cosmos.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

The Rosetta mission drew my focus toward the broader implications of life and its expanding frontiers, particularly considering the advancements in space exploration. This perspective has helped me reframe my personal loss, leading to a deeper comprehension of our purpose and the essence of life itself.

It emphasises the need for a continuous pursuit to broaden our horizons, whether they be physical or mental.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I trace my interest in art back to my fascination with space and human technological achievements, particularly the wonderful visions artists have created of what our future could look like. Those paintings of people living and working in space made the concept plausible. My earliest memory of space exploration is of my father taking me outside one night to learn about the stars and watch a satellite pass overhead.

If I had to choose a single moment when I became hooked on space, then it must have been Rosetta. I believe Rosetta is still one of the world's most ambitious space exploration missions. 

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

The Rosetta mission is a triumph of human ingenuity, creativity, and courage. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for a common goal and marks a milestone in our evolution as a species. It has influenced my art and gave me a strong interest in the sciences, including astronomy, geology, and physics. Today, I have the ability to present viewers with scenes that no human eye has ever witnessed.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I've always been moved by stories of quiet heroes, so it couldn't have been more different when I learned about Philae's heroic fight against the comet to provide us earthlings with the best possible data and complete the mission.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

The cosmos has always been an object of my interest, and humanity’s tireless quest to explore it is, to me, a beautiful description of who we are as a species. The story of this mission – its duration, perseverance and commitment – is a tremendous source of inspiration. This mission and the quiet heroism of Philae have added another brick to my passion for exploring the cosmos in my imagination and art.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

As Rosetta's journey to comet 67P was ending, our own journey into the realms of space science were just beginning. Being new to the world of home education, ESA's wonderful educational materials and the open Twitter communications with the scientists working on the Rosetta mission gave me the confidence to teach about space science and enabled our child to share in this wonderful mission. Rosetta not only captured our curiosity, it also captured our hearts.

We would follow the mission updates, and I would make lesson plans using the materials provided by ESA Education, which also sparked many ideas for other home-made resources and projects.  When there was a question I couldn't answer, I would ask scientists Matt Taylor and Mark McCaughrean via Twitter, and they would answer me. This was a game changer for us and enabled me to expand further with the learning experience, which otherwise would not have been possible. 

The mission in itself was groundbreaking, but so too was the educational and public outreach which inspired us to, literally, dig deeper to learn about geological science.

ESA was mindful of a young audience and gently 'landed' a successful mission both in our hearts and in our minds forever.

Thank you to the entire Rosetta Team.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

I don’t have a science background, but this mission has added a layer of confidence in me to explore more of the sciences involved and the educational resources accessible for all children.

Given the lack of STEM education and careers information in our region, we have been inspired to bring science to a wider audience. We wanted to share with them the joy we had experienced when following this mission.

We felt Rosetta’s journey was just the beginning and her message deserved to be heard by as many people as possible.

Since then, we have run many free science outreach days for hundreds of children from underrepresented minority groups who don’t think a career in science is an option for them. We’ve done this by exposing them to free and fun science, changing their attitudes along the way.

Seeing a previously disengaged child explore and be curious about science is a wonderful thing, and this may just be the spark they need to change their path towards a career in science.

Rosetta unlocked the door to the Universe, it is now up to all of us to hold it open for everyone.

Studying with ESA's Rosetta mission data continues in our home education, and we are excited to see where it leads us.                                                                                                                                                                   

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I first learned about Rosetta and her mission through the news of Philae's landing and the 'Once Upon a Time' animated series from 2015 to 2016. Since then, I have secretly been into stars, a passion I only dared to pursue from 2018 onwards.

When I rewatched the animated series again in 2018, the thought of bringing a space mission like Rosetta to life through animation sparked within my mind. It's how my dream of being an animator came to be.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

Rosetta sparked my career as an illustrator and animator, and my passion to spread the magic and charm of space exploration with a focus on spacecraft. Rosetta changed my life, and I feel it is my turn now to have the same effect on others. To achieve this, I made my original spacecraft character, Hira, after being inspired by many spacecraft stories. Rosetta will always remain in my heart as the origin of my 'Spacecraft Animist' journey.                                                                                          

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

In 1995, I read a book about ESA's Giotto mission. It was a great book, but the last few pages were truly eye-opening. On these pages, I read about the planned Rosetta mission for the first time, and I was stunned: "They're planning to land on a comet."

I imagined the probe approaching the comet in the distance – slowly and carefully, because it wasn't supposed to be a quick flyby like Giotto – and how the lander would then touch down on the comet’s surface. What would be required for such a mission? What level of precision is needed at these enormous distances? How would communication from the lander to Earth work? And last but not least, what would the comet be like? What scientific knowledge would we gain? The fascination I felt in that moment has never left me.

I watched the launch, biting my nails when Rosetta woke up from hibernation, and I was amazed by the first images of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Almost 20 years after reading the book, I had the opportunity to take part in a media event in Cologne when Philae successfully landed on comet 67P on 12 November 2014. I will never forget that day.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

After experiencing the landing event in Cologne I started a podcast named "Auf Distanz", about spaceflight and astronomy. The first episode was about the resumption of contact with Philae in 2015.

Thanks to the podcast project I connected with a company working on software development for an instrument on ESA's Juice spacecraft, and I switched jobs to work for them. Although I am not directly working on spaceflight-related software, my career change was triggered by the Rosetta mission.

The podcast has taken me to places I never thought I would visit. For example, I watched the launch of the ESA space probe Juice from Kourou, French Guiana. I also met interesting people working on great projects, and new amazing projects continue to emerge all the time. The podcast is still doing well and has over 100 episodes published.

I don't believe that all this would have happened to me without the Rosetta mission. So I can confidently say that Rosetta has changed my life.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

The mission to Comet 67P was always going to be a fantastic and wonderful journey. But the ‘Once upon a time’ series really brought it to life.

Decades ago, I was watching the Giotto flyby of Comet Halley live on TV. I always wanted to see a comet up close, and the Rosetta mission made this dream come true. Of course, it also opened up a lot of other questions, so I can't wait for what new surprises future missions will bring.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

Rosetta reignited my love for space exploration and my love for sketching.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I first encountered the Rosetta and Philae cartoon series by the European Space Agency (ESA) on YouTube when I was in second grade. At that time, my interest in space was already budding, so my recommended videos often revolved around astronomy.

As a young child, I was captivated by the series, mainly due to its animation and storytelling. The animated format drew me in while also highlighting the realities of space exploration—the vast emptiness, the immense duration of space missions, and the challenges they present. The Rosetta-Philae mission demonstrated the complexity and difficulty of interplanetary travel and landing on a comet.

The journey of Rosetta-Philae was arduous, involving extensive travel and a challenging landing on the destination. Not everything went according to plan, but the spacecraft still managed to collect valuable data from the comet and return significant discoveries.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

When I was younger, I didn't fully understand what I was watching, but one thing was certain—I loved it. Anything related to space fascinated me. As I've grown older and gained knowledge, particularly in chemistry, biology, and physics, I now appreciate the significance of the discoveries made by the Rosetta-Philae mission.

The mission revealed the details about comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, including its composition, surface structure, temperature, and the presence of organic compounds and water vapor.

I think these discoveries are truly ground-breaking, since they provide profound insights into the formation of our early solar system, the origins of water on Earth, and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. Additionally, the findings sparked my burning interest in astrobiology.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I was the AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) study leader for the Rosetta project from 1996 to 2004, working at Astrium / Airbus Defence & Space. After that I was part of the industrial team supporting ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) flight operations until 2016.

A farewell message to Rosetta (30 September 2016)

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

My professional life was deeply shaped by the Rosetta mission, as I explained in my farewell message! From the start of my professional career at Matra Espace in the 90s, where I worked on research and development Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) studies for autonomous navigation techniques, to the crash landing of the Rosetta spacecraft on the surface of comet ‘Chury’ (67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) on 30 September 2016, I worked, I lived, I slept, I breathed Rosetta. It was part of my life, at work and at home. I am so proud and happy to have contributed to this iconic and successful ESA mission!

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How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

10 years ago, I was going through a very turbulent time of my life, having just moved primary schools. This move was due to my initial primary school's headteacher being ableist and refusing to give me the support I needed as a 9-year-old autistic child. I really struggled to settle in at my new school, as it was all so different, but Rosetta served as a beacon of hope and excitement. It was something positive to focus on, something that I knew my own country was involved in, something that made me proud of where I'm from. Following Rosetta help me cope with all the change. And it certainly did. It was the first mission I actively paid attention to, and I will never forget it.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

Following Rosetta helped me through a tough time in my life, and without it I wouldn't have had the confidence, focus and drive to get into secondary school and through my GCSEs and A-Levels. Today, I am in my first year of a bachelor’s degree in Astronautics and Space Engineering at the University of Surrey, whose spinoff company SSTL contributed to the reaction wheels onboard Rosetta. I am following my dreams.

I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to watch Rosetta achieve its mission, and hope to one day contribute to a mission that can have the same impact on a child somewhere in the world going through a tough time of their own.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

I didn’t hear about the Rosetta mission until one or two years after it finished, but the impact it had on me was everlasting. It became a silent encouragement that sits at the back of my mind, driving me forward.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?​

I still hold on to it now. So many things have changed. I have taken on challenges beyond my capabilities, and that has changed me in many ways, losing a bit of myself along the way. But, inspired by the persistence of Rosetta and Philae, I am staying steadfast on my own mission.

How were you touched by Rosetta, or involved in the mission, in 2014?​

My interest in space started at the age of 3 when I saw André Kuipers returning to earth after his mission aboard the ISS. I decided then that I wanted to become an astronaut as well.

In 2016, when I was 7 years old, my mom took me to the ESA Open Day at ESTEC. There, I met Matt Taylor, a real scientist! He was signing Rosetta posters and gave me one. I was happy with the poster, but I wanted to learn more about the mission. So, he told me about the mission: a comet-chaser, a lander on a comet! My mind was blown! The following year I attended his lecture at the ESA Open Day. It was awesome, not just because Matt was wearing a Stormtrooper suit or even because he included our photo from the previous year in his presentation. It was because I then decided I wanted to become a space scientist too. I had a new dream: to become part of the ESA family.

How has your life in 2024 been shaped thanks to the mission?

Now I am 15 years old, and my goal is to study at TU Delft to become a space scientist.

So, basically the Rosetta mission gave me my own mission! Thank you, Matt!