Deep Impact Asteroids and Comets Unmanned Missions

Deep impact is a NASA Discovery mission scheduled for a 2004 launch and a 2005 encounter comet Tempel 1. The encounter involves two vehicles. The main spacecraft will fly by the nucleus of Tempel 1, while an impactor, released from the main spacecraft about 24 hours prior, will impact the comet nucleus at about 10 kilometers per second. Study of the crater formed and fresh material uncovered will provide an unparalleled opportunity to gain additional understanding of some of the most primitive objects in the solar system.

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Deep Impact - NASA homepage for the planned mission, which will fly by Comet 9P/Tempel 1 on July 4, 2005. Includes kids' activities, lesson plans for educators, and an amateur astronomy observing program.

• NSSDC Deep Impact Page - Spacecraft and mission profile from the National Space deep impact Science deep impact Data Center.
• Cometography.com: 9P/Tempel 1 - History of 9P/Tempel 1, the Deep Impact target.
• The ICQ Comet Information Website: Ephemerides for 9P/Tempel 1 - Orbit and position information for the Deep Impact target object.
• Deep Impact Approved: Humanity's Turn to Slam into a Comet - News update on the mission's budget approval.
• Michael A'Hearn - Principle Investigator of the Deep Impact mission. Provides scientific objectives asteroids and comets and data of the mission.

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