Plans for Comet Halley

Abstract

The configuration, trajectories, and payloads of a spinning Earth-orbiting satellite designed by ESA for a post-perihelion flythrough (Giotto mission) of Comet Halley are described. Experiments approved for use on two identical three-axis stabilized Venera spacecraft destined to encounter the comet after releasing probes to Venus are listed as well as the instruments to be carried on Japan's Planet-A flyby mission. The main features launch windows are given for each spacecraft.