Quotes by Donald Yeomans

“It seems MINERVA was ready to do its part if only given the chance.”

“The beauty of this mission is that we dont know what to expect. But whatever happens, well learn something.”

“If you wish to study what the solar system is made of you study comets.”

“The mission is to understand what a comet is made of and how its put together.”

“Ten years ago, we would have been blissfully ignorant.”

“The rocky and rough surface of the asteroid was surprising. The 16-minute light travel time [between Earth and the spacecraft] makes real-time communications very difficult.”

“The field of planetary science is currently enjoying an intense period of readjustment and discovery.”

“Theres a few nervous people, to be sure. Theres a lot of things that could go wrong.”

“The beauty of comets is that they are important to us. We probably would not be here were it not for comets. Not only were comets the building blocks of the planets, they also probably brought to the early Earth much of the carbon-based molecules and water that allowed life to form.”

“Comets are thought to be icy dirtballs made up of exotic ices, dust, and rock particles,”