Rosetta Comet Rendezvous Postponed

Hobnut writes "This space-scoop on the BBC reveals that the Rosetta mission has been cancelled. Well.. for now at least. It looks as if we'll have to wait indefinitely before we can do comet-surface science with the Euro-Space agency. I wonder if this has anything to do with last month's Ariane 5 explosion (ESAs launch vehicle) , which will surely go down in history as one the worlds most expensive fireworks. Let's hope the mission is back on soon."

Yes

[kingOFgEEEks]

Yes, it does partially have to do with the afforementioned rocket failure, but i'm sure there are other factors involved. Anybody have any good insights?

Re:Yes

[uncoveror]

They knew better than to lauch Rosetta after what happened to Contour. [uncoveror.com] The aliens would just blow it up, too.

Other reasons for Rosetta postponement

[barakn]

The Rosetta launch would have required the rocket to enter Earth orbit and then re-fire (a.k.a. a ballistic coast phase). This would have been the first time this maneuver was attempted with an Ariane 5. This particular Ariane 5 also had significant changes made to its equipment bay and electrical system. (paraphrasing from this link [space.com]and other sources)

Not the most expensive fireworks

[WolfWithoutAClause]

Space shuttle was way more expensive, both in monetary as well as human terms; atleast if you stick to aerospace.

And if you count wartime, do nuclear weapons count?

Most expencive fireworks?

[Stigmata669]

you think one rocket is good... imagine a beowolf cluster of exploding rockets

*ducks the huge can of moderation*

Not really...

[Tuxinatorium]

"I wonder if this has anything to do with last month's Ariane 5 explosion (ESAs launch vehicle) , which will surely go down in history as one the worlds most expensive fireworks. Let's hope the mission is back on soon."

Actually, the challenger space shuttle, Apollo 1, Apollo 13, and the first 5 (failed) mercury missions were all more expensive than an Ariane 5.

Re:Not really...

[Kibo]

So then there are only two spots left in the top ten? I guess that does take it out of the running unless E! and Brooke Burke get involved, huh? What she has over Letterman in the way of young nubile flesh, she lacks in list making authority I guess.

Ouch.

[KjetilK]

I have quite a few friends working on the Rosetta project. I'm glad I'm not in their shoes right now... Hope they find a launch window soon...

Wasn't there a movie about this???

[Ashtray_Waterloo]

I just hope they don't take the science from Armageddon....

Yet another smartarsed comment from some idiot...

Test post

[Reality Master 101]

Hi, just abusing this out of the way story to see what the hell is up with the new posting scores. Please bear with me.