Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Archives - Astrobiology

(a) Schematic of the BiBlade during its four stages of sample collection -- The Planetary Science Journal

Comets and Asteroids

Gelato: A Mission Concept for Comet Surface Sample Return

by Keith CowingAugust 3, 2026August 3, 2026

[The Planetary Science Journal] Understanding the role of comets in solar system formation and evolution has continued to be a driving question in planetary science. It is believed that comets […]

Representative anchoring mechanisms for small-body sampling robots. (a) Mechanical penetration.

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Status Report

Offworld Science Droids: A Review Maps Key Technologies For Small-body Sampling Robots

by Keith CowingApril 30, 2026April 30, 2026

Unlike planetary rovers operating on the Moon or Mars, robots working on asteroids and comets must interact with surfaces where gravity is extremely weak, terrain is highly irregular, and material […]

This image, taken by ESA’s Rosetta navigation camera, was taken from a about 53 miles from the center of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on March 14, 2015. The image resolution is 24 feet per pixel and is cropped and processed to bring out the details of the comet's activity. ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release

NASA-Led Team Links Comet Water to Earth’s Oceans

by Keith CowingDecember 9, 2024December 9, 2024

Scientists find that cometary dust affects interpretation of spacecraft measurements, reopening the case for comets like 67P as potential sources of water for early Earth.

Two-dimensional view of a region of the nucleus of comet 67P encompassing the three cavities CA, CB, and CC produced from the 67P-133M shape model. The Kemour mound overlooking cavity CB is labeled “K”. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report

Detection And Characterisation Of Icy Cavities On The Nucleus Of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

by Keith CowingJanuary 5, 2024January 5, 2024

We report on the detection of three icy cavities on the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. They were identified on high-resolution anaglyphs built from images acquired by the OSIRIS instrument aboard […]

Astrochemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Press Release

Shedding Light On Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Unexpected Chemical Complexity

by Keith CowingJuly 9, 2022August 15, 2022

A team of researchers led by the University of Bern has for the first time identified an unexpected richness of complex organic molecules at a comet. This was achieved thanks […]