Key Dates and Status:
- 08/12/78 Launch (15:12 UT)
- 1981 End of Solar System Mission
- 12/22/83 Entered Heliocentric Orbit
- 09/11/85 Traversed Plasma Tail of Comet Giacobini-Zinner
- Status: Mission Complete
Overview:
The International Sun-Earth Explorer 3's was the third of a trio of spacecraft sent into space to study interplanetary space. Among its accomplishments was being the first spacecraft orbit at a libration point as well as the first to detect the solar wind approaching Earth.
After completion of its primary mission, it was renamed International Cometary Explorer (ICE) and sent to study comet Giacbini-Zinner and comet Halley. It was the first spacecraft to fly past a comet, flying through the tail of comet Giacobini-Zinner, confirming for the first time theories that comets are 'dirty snowballs' of ice and rock. The spacecraft later flew between the Sun and comet Halley.
When last contacted, the spacecraft was on a trajectory that will bring it close to Earth in August 2014. It could possibly be recaptured, returned to Earth and ultimately be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.
