For the first time in human spacefaring history, a robotic probe has been placed on the surface of a comet. Earlier today, ESA mission controllers confirmed that the Philae probe made touchdown on the comet. But because its harpoons didn’t fire, Philae may not be entirely stable on the surface.
The announcement was made At 11:04 ET (08:04 PT) via these tweets:
Touchdown! My new address: 67P! #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
RT @esaoperations: RECEIPT OF SIGNAL FROM SURFACE. receiving signals from @Philae2014 on surface of comet #67P/CG #cometlanding
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
Mission controllers are in communication with the probe and they’re receiving a steady stream of data. Already, Philae has confirmed that its harpoons were fired and rewound and that it’s sitting on the surface. It’s flywheel is going down as planned.
Harpoons confirmed fired and reeled in. Flywheeel will now be switched off. @Philae2014 is on the surface of #67P #CometLanding
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) November 12, 2014
In just a few minutes, CIVA-P panoramic imaging is programmed to start obtaining first surface images #CometLanding
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) November 12, 2014
"We're are on the comet!" #cometlandinghttps://t.co/SbJ5rtNLkp
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) November 12, 2014
Here’s how the mission controllers reacted to the good news:
UPDATE: 11:43 AM ET
Controllers have confirmed that the probe made a soft, gentle landing — but that the anchors did not shoot as planned. They cannot say with 100% certainty that Philae has in fact landed on the comet and/or that the probe is safe and secure on the surface. There’s still the possibility that the mission controllers will have to reshoot the harpoons to gain a firm foothold on the surface.
It looks like @Philae2014 made a fairly gentle touch down on #67P based on amount of landing gear damping #CometLanding
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) November 12, 2014
More analysis of @Philae2014 telemetry indicates harpoons did not fire as 1st thought. Lander in gr8 shape. Team looking at refire options
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) November 12, 2014
I’m on the surface but my harpoons did not fire. My team is hard at work now trying to determine why. #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
UPDATE 12:57 PM ET:
A neat pic of the comet as Philae made its descent:
.@ESA_Rosetta See for yourself! ROLIS imaged #67P when we were just 3km away! Glad I can share. #CometLanding pic.twitter.com/b6mcid2fsn
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
Which would appear to be right on target of landing site J:
Looks like Philae was right on target? pic.twitter.com/ww8mqFnVv6
— Eric Hand (@erichand) November 12, 2014
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Here are some noteable tweets from earlier today:
I see you too @philae2014! Here you are in my OSIRIS camera – legs out! #CometLanding pic.twitter.com/hmnfe2AkN2
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
.@philae2014’s first postcard just after separation – it’s of me! #CometLanding
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA pic.twitter.com/OXJwGunL3V— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
This page will continue to be updated as information arrives.
Top image: ESA/Rosetta.
