The Comet Interceptor phase 0 has involved an extensive study performed by the ESTEC Concurrent Design Facility (CDF). The study activities have been completed in December 2019, allowing to define the preliminary mission requirements and to better define the mission design. On the basis of these results, ESA decided to move forward and start the Definition Phase activities (phase A/B).

A Request for Information has been released to industry, so as to prepare for issuing the spacecraft Invitation To Tender in the second quarter of 2020. The completion of the Definition Phase is expected in 2022.