Subject line: study of the Comet Halley / minor bodies of the Solar System

Responsibility of the mission: ESA

Date of launch: July 2nd, 1985

End of mission: July 23rd, 1992

 

Description

GIOTTO is a European Space Agency probe, designed for the up-close exploration of the Comet Halley during its perihelium, which occurred in 1986. The mission was approved by the ESA in 1980 and was launched by the Ariane 1 rocket (flight 14v) on July 2nd, 1985, from Kourou.

In the night between March 13th and March 14th, 1986, the European shuttle passed just 596 km from the comet and was able to capture for the first time the images of a comet nucleus, by flying by its surface. The flyby put a strain on the onboard instruments. In fact, the probe was hit by the material ejected from the comet, which modified its rotation axis, made communications with Earth difficult and caused the protective shield to damage. A second impact destroyed the Halley Multicolor Camera, the imaging system which is the author of the amazing pictures of Halley’s nucleus and coma. Despite the objective difficulties that Giotto had to face, it collected a great quantity of data on the composition of the materials ejected from the comet, as well as their size and mass; such information had never been detected so accurately until then. The analysis on the probe showed that about 80% of Halley was water, 10% was carbon monoxide and 2.5% was methane and ammonia, traces of other hydrocarbons, iron and sodium. Furthermore, the pictures taken from the camera show that about 10% of Halley’s nucleus was active: three different jets were observed down the Sunward side. The mission was extended on July 10th, 1992, leading the probe to observe the comet Grigg-Skjellerup from 200 km distance. On July 23rd, 1992, the mission was officially declared over.

 

Scientific goals

The main scientific goal of the mission was studying Comet Halley’s nucleus, to understand more in-depth the evolution of comets. The mission entailed flying by the sunward side of the comet’s nucleus at the shortest possible distance, to take colour pictures and make scientifically relevant measurements. The exploration of the comet consisted in characterising its nucleus and coma, determining its dynamic properties, studying its morphology and composition. In particular, the study of mineralogy and isotopic ratios of the volatile and refractory elements of the nucleus, the chemical processes happening in the atmosphere and cometary ionosphere and the plasma deriving from the interaction between the comet and the solar wind.

 

Italian contribution

Italy contributed to the mission with the onboard computer provided by the then LABEN, now integrated in Thales Alenia Space Italia.

‣ News

SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2025

The Italian Space Agency at the official inauguration ceremony of the African Space Agency ‣

On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the African Space Agency (AfSA), the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was represented by the Director General, Luca Salamone, who brought the Italian greetings on a historic day for the African continent and for the international space community. MORE...

MONDAY 07 APRIL 2025

ASI at the 40th Space Symposium ‣

Colorado Springs (CO, USA) from April 7-10, 2025 MORE...

MONDAY 07 APRIL 2025

COSMO-SkyMed monitoring of Santorini volcano ‣

ASI and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki have started a scientific collaboration to monitor Santorini volcano in Greece MORE...

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025

Renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for Kenyan personnel at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre ‣

  The Luigi Broglio Space Centre (BSC) in Malindi hosted the final negotiation meeting today for the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A) covering the period 2025–2028. Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), participated via videoconference, while the ASI negotiating delegation—comprising Alessandro Preti, Director of Human Resources; Dalila Sabato, Head of the Union Relations Service; Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi Site; and Maurizio Toninelli from the Malindi Site—signed the new agreement alongside Antony Rajoro, Secretary General of the Kenya Scientific, Research, International, Technical and Institutions Workers Union (KRISTAIWU). Also present was Joseph Kagotho Muriithi, representing the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). Opening the meeting remotely, the Director General expressed appreciation for the efforts of both the Kenyan Union representatives and ASI’s negotiating team, stating: “Today is an important milestone for all of us. The signing of this Collective Bargaining Agreement strengthens the relationship between ASI and its employees. Over the next four years, this agreement will provide a foundation of clear and mutually agreed-upon guidelines, fostering a stable and harmonious work environment where everyone can contribute their best.” Alessandro Preti, ASI’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “This agreement is a testament to the power of constructive dialogue and the pursuit of balanced solutions. Our goal remains to cultivate a strong and motivating workplace—one that values the dedication of its employees and ensures their contributions drive the success of our organization.” Both KRISTAIWU’s Secretary General and KSA’s representative expressed their satisfaction with the agreement reached. Following the signing, Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi site (BSC), along with the rest of the ASI negotiating delegation and Union representatives, held a meeting with local BSC employees to present and explain the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.