After 10 years of anticipation, the ESA’s Philae lander has finally detached from the Rosetta satellite and is currently making its descent to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko where it will land later today.
Watch the events as they unfold live right here.
Above: ESO simulation.
UPDATE 11:29 AM ET: Success! The lander has made touchdown. For ongoing coverage at io9, go here.
https://livestream.com/accounts/362/events/3544091/player?autoPlay=false&mute=false
Despite a technical glitch overnight, the ESA’s Rosetta mission has entered into its elaborate descent phase. Mission controllers have now made radio contact with the probe, and they are already receiving images from it:
.@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
Philae was dropped towards the comet by the Rosetta satellite at 09:35 CET.
If all goes well, the Philae probe should make its landing around 17:02 CET (11:02 EST / 08:02 PST).
.@Philae2014 🙂 My back is chilly now you’ve left, but I'm in a better position to watch you now. Send me a postcard! #CometLanding
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
“The lander is on its own now,” noted Stephan Ulamec, Philae lander manager with the European Space Agency, after a long night of activity during which the landing attempt hung on the brink of cancellation.
Also now back in contact with @philae2014! Good to hear you again buddy 🙂 #CometLanding
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
Finally! I’m stretching my legs after more than 10 years. Landing gear deployed! #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
When the lander touches down, its momentum will drive a set of ice screws into the comet’s surface. The probe will then simultaneously fire two harpoons into the comet to firmly anchor itself.
We need to stop saying @Philae2014 is landing & embrace the fact it's stabbing 67P/CG w multiple harpoons & tying itself on.
— Dr Pamela L Gay (@starstryder) November 12, 2014
It also carries a thruster that’s designed to fire cold gas under pressure to counteract the recoil from the harpoons and keep the probe from ricocheting back into space. Indeed, the gravitational pull exerted by the comet is exceptionally weak.
Thx to @berkemeyerjj, I just realized an actual flea could achieve escape velocity (just 1.1mph) & jump off 67P/CG. @Philae2014 tethering on
— Dr Pamela L Gay (@starstryder) November 12, 2014
But it was this cold gas thruster that caused the problems overnight, delaying the final check out of the lander by about an hour. Eventually, the controllers decided to go ahead with the landing without relying on the thruster, since a delay would unlikely improve the situation.
UPDATE 10:49 ET — a shot of the lander making its descent!
Philae on its way! pic.twitter.com/OnXEnjDETk
— Carolyn Porco (@carolynporco) November 12, 2014
Update: 11:00 ET:
Almost there… @ESA_Rosetta! Thank you for the ride! #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
We will continue to update this page as events unfold.
Related: Here’s A Thirty-Year History Of Getting Closer To Comets | It’s Time For Another Episode In Rosetta And Philae’s Adventures!
https://gizmodo.com/heres-a-thirty-year-history-of-getting-closer-to-comets-1657169994
https://gizmodo.com/its-time-for-another-episode-in-rosetta-and-philaes-adv-1657236620
