Scientific returns from a program of space missions to comets

Abstract

A program of cometary missions is proposed. The nature and size of interstellar dust, its origin and evolution; identification of new interstellar molecules; clarification of interstellar chemistry; accretion of grains into protosolar cometesimals; role of a T Tauri wind in the dissipation of the protosolar nebula; record of isotopic anomalies, better preserved in comets than in meteorites; cosmogenic and radiogenic dating of comets; cosmochronology and mineralogy of meteorites, as compared with that of cometary samples; origin of the earth's biosphere, and the origin of life are topics discussed in relation to comet exploration.