For the first time in human spacefaring account , a robotic investigation has been localize on the surface of a comet . in the first place today , ESA mission restrainer confirmed that the Philae probe made touchdown on the comet . But because its harpoon did n’t fire , Philae may not be completely unchanging on the control surface .
The proclamation 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@Philae2014on surface of comet#67P / CG#cometlanding
— ESA Rosetta Mission ( @ESA_Rosetta)November 12 , 2014
missionary post controllers are in communicating with the probe and they ’re receiving a unfluctuating stream of information . Already , Philae has confirmed that its harpoon were dismiss and rewound and that it ’s posture on the surface . It ’s flywheel is going down as planned .
harpoon confirmed dismiss and reeled in . Flywheeel will now be switched off.@Philae2014is on the surface of#67P#CometLanding
— ESA Operations ( @esaoperations)November 12 , 2014
In just a few minutes , CIVA - P bird’s-eye imaging is programmed to depart incur first surface images#CometLanding
" We ’re are on the comet!"#cometlandinghttps://t.co / SbJ5rtNLkp
Here ’s how the mission control reacted to the in effect intelligence :
UPDATE: 11:43 AM ET
Controllers have confirm that the probe made a indulgent , easy landing place — but that the linchpin did not shoot as planned . They can not say with 100 % sure thing that Philae has in fact land 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 earn a firm foothold on the open .
It looks like@Philae2014made a reasonably gentle touch down on#67Pbased on amount of landing gear damping#CometLanding
More analysis of@Philae2014telemetry betoken harpoon did not fire as 1st intellection . Lander in gr8 Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe . squad look at refire choice
I ’m on the surface but my harpoon did not fire . My team is hard at oeuvre now trying to determine why.#CometLanding
UPDATE 12:57 PM ET :
A neat pic of the comet as Philae made its descent :
.@ESA_RosettaSee for yourself ! ROLIS imaged#67Pwhen we were just 3 kilometre aside ! Glad I can share.#CometLandingpic.twitter.com / b6mcid2fsn
Which would come out to be proper on target of landing site J :
front like Philae was good on target?pic.twitter.com / ww8mqFnVv6
— Eric Hand ( @erichand)November 12 , 2014
Here are some noteable tweets from earlier today :
I see you too@philae2014 ! Here you are in my OSIRIS camera – legs out!#CometLandingpic.twitter.com / hmnfe2AkN2
.@philae2014 ’s first postcard just after separation – it ’s of me!#CometLandingCredit : ESA / Rosetta / Philae / CIVApic.twitter.com / OXJwGunL3V
This Thomas Nelson Page will continue to be updated as information get in .
Top paradigm : ESA / Rosetta .
philaeScienceSpace
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