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[i][b]How fast will Rosetta impact the surface?[/b] One of the key features of the trajectory design is to minimise the spacecraft's relative velocity at impact. The current scenario predicts that the impact velocity will be around 90 cm/s, around walking pace. It is worth keeping in mind that Rosetta was not designed as a lander, and some of its appendages including the 32m-wide solar panels will be damaged by the impact. This energy dissipation will very likely ensure that the escape velocity will not be exceeded during any bounce, thus preventing Rosetta from returning to orbit after impact with Comet 67P/C-G. [b]If Rosetta does bounce back into space, would we know?[/b] No, because Rosetta's main systems, including the main transmitter, will be turned off at the moment of impact.[/i]
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