orbiter

The mission plans to study the atmosphere with an orbiter named Hope and its three key instruments.

Another mission, the Europa Clipper, that’s already underway will take higher-resolution images when the orbiter visits the Jovian moon later this decade, which should help clarify the issue.

The samples were stored on an ascent vehicle that brought them back to an orbiter on December 6.

Researchers led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have already developed designs and demonstrated an orbiter system which should be able to do this.

Once the material is scooped up, the sample will be stored onto an ascent vehicle that will ferry it back to the orbiter flying above.

However, the probe stayed in contact with the Rosetta orbiter and has already sent back some photos.

The basic approach went as planned: after separating from the Rosetta orbiter, Philae coasted slowly to the comet surface.