Where Next for Deep Impact fly-by
Hi All
A Space.com report on what to do with the Deep Impact fly-by probe...
What Next
...written before the encounter it says the extended mission depends on how the instruments fare during the encounter. From what we've seen I'd say the dust issue hasn't affected the probe much at all. If so then it's likely to be retargeted for a 3.5 year cruise to Comet Boethin, first spotted in 1975. While en route it might be a chance to test the autonomous navigation software and let the probe fly itself for a while.
Another comet close-up would certainly be welcome.
Adam