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M. Paetzold, A. Wennmacher, J. Schmitt (Cologne University), B. Haeusler (Universitaet der Bundeswehr), Michael K. Bird (Bonn University), F.M. Neubauer (Cologne University), K. Aksnes (Oslo University)
One of the science objectives of the Rosetta Radio Science Investigations (RSI) experiment is the determination of the cometary mass flux (gas and dust) onto the Rosetta spacecraft intended to orbit the nucleus of comet P/Wirtanen starting in 2012. The RSI experiment will use the spacecraft´s radio carrier frequencies at X-band and S-band in order to measure slight changes of the orbit velocity via the Doppler effect induced by the perturbation forces of gas and dust flow. These forces are estimated along the comet orbit from 4 AU to perihelion based on observed or estimated values of the gas and dust production rates for comet P/Wirtanen. It turns out that the gas flow might be the dominant perturber. Limits and sensitivities will be given.