Abstract
Doppler and ranging measurements, using the radio signals of the Giotto spacecraft and taken during the encounter with comet Halley, reveal a definite deceleration of the spacecraft due to drag in the cometary atmosphere. The total change in the radial velocity of the spacecraft was measured to be 16.7 cm s−1, occuring over a time interval of ∼100 s and corresponding to a shift in Doppler frequency of 4.7 Hz. Using this velocity change, estimates of the total cometary mass striking the spacecraft range from 0.1 to 1 g.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Edenhofer, P. et al. Eur. Space Ag. spec. Publ. 1077, 173–186 (1986).
Bird, M. K., Edenhofer, P., Porsche, H. & Volland, H. Adv. Space Res. 4, 303–306 (1984).
Porsche, H. & Edenhofer, P. in Cometary Exploration Vol. 3 (ed. Gombosi, T.) 185–195 (Central Research Institute for Physics, Budapest, 1982).
McDonnell, J. A. M. et al. Adv. Space Res. 4, 297–301 (1984).
Balsiger, H. et al. Nature 321, 330–334 (1986).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Edenhofer, P., Bird, M., Brenkle, J. et al. First results from the Giotto Radio-Science Experiment. Nature 321 (Suppl 6067), 355–357 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/321355a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/321355a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
