Comet target
Comet Interceptor
ESA’s Comet Interceptor is a three-spacecraft mission that will wait at L2 for a pristine comet or interstellar object to pass by.
Planned; ESA still quotes a late-2028/early-2029 launch target, and the final timing depends on mission integration and launcher readiness.
Official mission site ↗The mission
Comet Interceptor is ESA’s fast-class mission to position a three-spacecraft stack at the Sun-Earth L2 point, where it will wait for a long-period comet or interstellar object. When a suitable target appears, the mission will split into multiple vehicles and perform a detailed flyby and 3D profile of the object.
The launch
- Launch
- Late 2028 or early 2029
- Launch location
- Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
- Launch vehicle
- Ariane 64
- Orbit
- Heliocentric N/A
Mission timeline
ESA factsheet
Current overview
ESA’s factsheet describes the mission architecture, late-2028/early-2029 launch range, and target-selection concept.
Open milestone source ↗Objectives
- 01
Wait at Sun-Earth L2 for a pristine long-period comet or interstellar object.
- 02
Perform a close flyby with multiple spacecraft and build a detailed target profile.
- 03
Capture early Solar System material before it is altered by repeated inner-system passes.
Spacecraft
Comet Interceptor
Three-spacecraft mission stack that will wait at L2 until a suitable target object is identified.
- Manufacturer
- ESA industrial consortium
Gallery
One image from Comet Interceptor.
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