[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by pluto

Rosetta is not orbiting the comet, it's orbiting the Sun in an almost identical orbit as the comet, though it will enter orbit around the comet in a few months.

Today, Rosetta is just 100 km from the comet’s surface, but it will edge closer still. Over the next six weeks, it will describe two triangular-shaped trajectories in front of the comet, first at a distance of 100 km and then at 50 km.

At the same time, more of the suite of instruments will provide a detailed scientific study of the comet, scrutinising the surface for a target site for the Philae lander.

Eventually, Rosetta will attempt a close, near-circular orbit at 30 km and, depending on the activity of the comet, perhaps come even closer.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Sp...et_destination