Activities of the Comet Interceptor Comet Environment and Target Identification Working Groups

Abstract

Comet Interceptor is an European Space Agency (ESA) mission in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It aims to characterise through a close flyby a long period comet, preferably dynamically new, or an interstellar object. The main spacecraft will be accompanied in its encounter with the target comet’s nucleus by two small probes, one provided by Europe, and the other by Japan. The mission is planned for launch in 2029. Its Science Working Team (SWT) is supported in specific scientific and science operation areas by Working Groups (WGs). These are the Target Identification WG and Comet Environment WG. The latter comprises three sub-WGs, covering the Nucleus, Near-Environment, and Far-Environment. Here, we provide a brief overview of the mission, and present and describe the aims and activities of the working groups. The search is already underway for potential comets to encounter, and preparations are being made for the scientific exploitation of the data from the mission’s three spacecraft.