ROSETTA-ORBITER 67P: Radio Science Gravity Measurements from Extension 1 Phase

NASA's Rosetta Radio Science data set provides global gravity measurements for comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. The data was collected during the ROSETTA EXTENSION 1 mission phase from 2016-01-01 to 2016-04 05, with a specific measurement interval on 2016-02-21. This dataset is version 1.0 and was last updated on the Data.gov platform in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling the internal mass distribution of comet 67P based on gravity field data.
• Analyzing temporal variations in the comet's gravity during the close-approach phase mentioned in the description.
• Calibrating and validating radio science instrumentation and methods for future deep-space missions.
• Studying the relationship between surface features and subsurface density anomalies inferred from gravity measurements.

Strengths

• Data originates from a major space agency (NASA) and a flagship planetary science mission.
• Covers a defined and critical mission phase (ROSETTA EXTENSION 1) from 2016-01-01 to 2016-04-05.
• Provides a precise temporal window for gravity measurements on 2016-02-21.
• Dataset has a specific version number (V1.0), suggesting version control.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect the specific orbital and instrumental conditions of the Rosetta mission.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected via Radio Science Investigation (RSI) instruments aboard the Rosetta orbiter.

Time Range

2016-01-01 to 2016-04-05 (mission phase), with specific measurement from 2016-02-21T01:11:50.000 to 2016-02-21T06:48:30.500.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:43:11.466292; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko