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The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission, delayed due to the failure of the Ariane 5 flight 157 back in December, looks likely to go ahead. The independent inquiry suggests the problem experienced by flight 157 is isolated to the ten ton adapted Ariane 5, and should not impact the standard Ariane 5 intended to be used to launch Rosetta.
Professor Wolfgang Koschel, who headed the inquiry, said it seemed the tubes that cool the nozzle cracked as a result of intense heat and pressure. Professor Koschel said that in spacecraft design, where weight was all important, there were always difficult compromises between weight and strength.
Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace managing director, said a separate inquiry was examining the Rosetta mission because of its special nature. A decision will be made on January 14. "If we get a green light we'll launch it in the course of January," said Mr Le Gall.
More info: ESA
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