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Rosetta Plasma Consortium

Hybrid plasma simulations of the comet-solar wind interaction

The Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC) will make in-situ measurements of the plasma environment of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The consortium will provide the complementary data sets necessary for an understanding of the plasma processes in the inner coma, and the structure and evolution of the coma with the increasing cometary activity. Five sensors have been selected to achieve this: the Ion and Electron Sensor (IES), the Ion Composition Analyser (ICA), the Langmuir Probe (LAP), the Mutual Impedance Probe (MIP) and the Magnetometer (MAG). The sensors interface to the spacecraft through the Plasma Interface Unit (PIU). The consortium approach allows for scientific, technical and operational coordination, and makes optimum use of the available mass and power resources.

The department Asteroids and Comets contributes to RPC by sophisticated modeling of the cometary activity and the interaction with the solar wind. The models support planning and coordination of the mission. The department Asteroids and Comets is represented in the RPC by Dr. Ekkehard Kührt and Prof. Dr. Uwe Motschmann.