Odyssey-a comet nucleus orbiter

Odyssey (not to be confused with the recently named Mars '01 orbiter) is an exciting comet nucleus orbiter mission submitted to the Discovery 2000 Announcement of Opportunity. This mission will rendezvous with and orbit a comet nucleus, and will make detailed scientific measurements with unprecedented resolution and accuracy. It is widely recognized that the best obtainable clues to the origin of the solar system can be found in its small bodies, comets and asteroids. Only in these small, relatively unprocessed bodies is the cosmo-chemical and physical record of the early solar system preserved. Unprocessed volatiles can be found in only one place: in cometary nuclei. Odyssey will address elements of all three quests enumerated in the Solar System Exploration Strategic Plan.