• Question: How do you get a spacecraft to land on asteroids or planets because they are constantly moving?

    Asked by Laura :0) to Reshma, K-Jo, Alison on 6 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Alison Dufresne

      Alison Dufresne answered on 6 Nov 2018:

      It takes a lot of good planning and on board systems which can figure out where in space the spacecraft is and alter it’s trajectory if necessary (spoiler, it’s always necessary!). We have cameras which will spot the asteroid in the distance and automatically correct it’s path to make sure it doesn’t miss it. If you’re interested in that side of physics, the Rosetta mission and flight path is a great way to learn about planetary fly-by’s trajectory corrections and landing on an asteroid.

    • Photo: Reshma Vora

      Reshma Vora answered on 8 Nov 2018:

      I honestly have no idea – it’s not in my line of work but I imagine it would take a lot of hard work and patience

    • Photo: K-Jo O'Flynn

      K-Jo O'Flynn answered on 9 Nov 2018:

      I have no clue either as I only work on antennas, satellites and space technologies like that:D But it is remarkable how they can do it:D

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