NASA declares an end to Deep Impact comet mission

Associated Press  • 
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During its mission, Deep Impact beamed back 500,000 images, including the comet Ison.

NASA today gave up on the Deep Impact spacecraft, which suddenly fell silent after nearly nine years of exploring comets.

The space agency declared an end to Deep Impact, which in 2005 smashed a comet with a projectile to give scientists a peek of the interior. The spacecraft went on to rendezvous with two more comets.



During the mission, Deep Impact beamed back 500,000 images including of comet Ison, which could shine as bright as the moon when it makes a close approach in November.

Since there's no way for ground controllers to talk to Deep Impact, the spacecraft will continue on its path around the sun until it runs out of fuel.