The comet-hunting Rosetta spacecraft would end its mission on September 30 as the probe will crash into Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko after mission scientists execute its final maneuver.
European Space Agency's Rosetta mission has been studying Comet 67P for almost two years, despite its failed lander Philae. Philae was lost after a bumpy landing on the surface of the comet. Mission control finally found the doomed lander a few weeks ago, lodged in between jagged rocks.
To date, mission scientists are trying to obtain as much scientific data from the mission, before Rosetta plunges into the comet to its final resting place.
The last leg of Rosetta's mission will involve mapping a region of the comet that is covered with active pits, which has also been chosen by mission scientists for the spacecraft's crash landing. This region is known as Ma'at where the pits are estimated to be 320 wide and 160 to 200 feet deep. Jet streams of dust are also emitted from the pit.
Within the sides of the pits are features described as "goosebumps," which scientists suggest are produced by "cometesimals" that were piled together during the early formation stages of the comet along with the solar system.
Rosetta would capture extreme close-up images of these features which will also be its last on September 30. The probe will specifically land in a 420 feet wide pit known as the Deir el-Medina.
Since early last month, the probe has been flying in a tighter orbit around the comet to prepare for the last part of its mission. The closest range is estimated to be within one kilometer of the surface before it crashes inside the dark pits.
According to ESA's spacecraft operations manager, Sylvain Lodiot, Rosetta has been flying within a safe distance during its final weeks. There have been significant changes to the probe as it feels the gravitational force of the comet during its closest and final approach.