On March 2, 2004, Rosetta was launched into an orbit that enabled it to chase Earth around the Sun for about a year.
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On March 4, 2005, Rosetta caught up with Earth and executed the first of its four gravity assists (three from Earth and one from Mars). This first gravity assist hurled Rosetta toward Mars for its meeting in 2007.
- In February 2007, Rosetta executed a close flyby of Mars, which provided the gravity assist it needed to loop back toward Earth for a second flyby in November 2007.
- In November 2007, Rosetta executed its second Earth flyby, gaining the gravity assist it needed to pass Mars' orbit and reach the asteroid belt.
- In November, 2009, Rosetta swung back for a final boost from Earth’s gravity to return again to the asteroid belt.
- In January 2014, Rosetta positioned itself next to comet C-G and is falling into the inner solar system along with it. Rosetta will "land" on the comet and take readings.
