Rosetta comet probe starts years-long space hibernation
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - 15:30
in Astronomy & Space
The final command placing the European Space Agency's Rosetta comet-chaser into deep-space hibernation was sent June 8, 2011. With virtually all systems shut down, the probe will now coast for 31 months until waking up in 2014 for arrival at its comet destination.