As European scientists continue to watch the nail-biting descent of the Philae Lander to the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to collect samples, the images (and tweet stream from the 'lander') are stunning. Conjuring thoughts of roughnecks and Aerosmith, the material that the lander analyses in the first contact of its kind will give insight into how Earth and other planets formed.
Touchdown! My new address: 67P! #CometLanding [5]
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014 [6]
Live feed (via The European Space Agency):
European scientists launched a probe from spaceship Rosetta on Wednesday in an historic attempt to examine the surface of a comet, starting a seven-hour descent that marks the most nail-biting phase of a ten-year mission.
Overcoming technical glitches, the European Space Agency craft jettisoned its lander on schedule at around 0400 ET to collect samples from the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, which it has been orbiting since August.
"Now it's up to gravity to bring it down," Stefan Ulamec, Lander Manager from German Aerospace Center DLR, said.
The material that the lander, named Philae, analyses in the first contact of its kind will give insight into how Earth and other planets formed.
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The launch went ahead despite a problem with the thruster that was due to help stop the lander from bouncing back off the comet's surface, which means it may have to rely mainly on its harpoons to anchor it.
"There were various problems with the preparation activities overnight but we have decided to go. Rosetta is lined up for separation," Paolo Ferri, ESA's head of mission operations, said before the launch.
The team had to release the three-legged lander at exactly the right time and speed because there is no way of controlling it on its descent.
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The probe is expected to touch down at around 1030 ET and confirmation of the landing is expected some 30 minutes later.
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The Philae Lander confirms touch-down...
It’s me… landing on a comet & feeling good! MT @ESA_Rosetta [8]: I see you too! #CometLanding [5] pic.twitter.com/DjU0J1Ey4H [9]
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014 [10]
.@philae2014 [11]’s first postcard just after separation – it’s of me!
#CometLanding [5]
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA pic.twitter.com/OXJwGunL3V [12]
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014 [13]
Nice one! I’ve never seen you from this angle before, @ESA_Rosetta [8]! #CometLanding [5]
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014 [14]
Images of the comet...
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