Encyclopedia Astronautica  American comet probe. One launch,
2002.07.03.  NASA's Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) was designed to
provide the first detailed look at the differences between these
primitive building blocks of the solar system, and answer
questions about how comets act and evolve. Contour's flexible
four-year mission plan included encounters with comets Encke,
Nov.12, 2003, and Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, June 19, 2006. It was
not to be; the solid rocket motor that was to boost the
spacecraft into solar orbit failed.  CONTOUR was to examine each
comet's nucleus, which scientists believe was a chunk of ice and
rock, often just a few kilometers across and hidden from Earth-
based telescopes beneath a dusty atmosphere and long tail.
Dimensions: 8-sided main structure; 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall;
2.1 meters (7 feet) wide Total Weight: 970 kilograms (2,138
pounds)    • Dry spacecraft and instruments: 387 kilograms (853
pounds)   • STAR-30 Solid Rocket Motor: 503 kilograms (1,109
pounds)   • Hydrazine fuel: 80