NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Deep Impact awaits launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. on Jan. 12, 2005.

The spacecraft will travel to comet Tempel 1 and release an impactor, creating a crater on the surface of the comet. Scientists believe the exposed materials may give clues to the formation of our solar system.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Caltech

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