Philae Lander Goes into Hibernation on the Comet, Scientists Call It a Success

Rosetta’s lander has completed its primary science mission after nearly 57 hours on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA wrote in a statement made Saturday. After losing contact with Philae for almost half a day Friday, the signal was reestablished last night and lasted until this morning.

Mission was successful

It was these hours when the first spacecraft to land on a comet in human’s history returned all of its housekeeping data, as well as science data from the targeted instruments. Scientists claim this completed the measurements planned for the final block of experiments on the surface, thus calling this first stage a success.

However, the lander could not be moved as needed in order for the probe to receive more solar energy, thus its power rapidly depleted. “It has been a huge success, the whole team is delighted. Despite the unplanned series of three touchdowns, all of our instruments could be operated and now it’s time to see what we’ve got,” said Stephen Ulamec, lander manager at the DLR German Aerospace Agency, who monitored Philae’s progress from ESA’s Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

There is still hope

According to the source, the search of Philae’s final landing site continues, with high-resolution images from the orbiter being closely scrutinized. Meanwhile, the lander has returned unprecedented images of its surroundings. Scientist are currently studying their data to see if they have sampled any of this material with Philae’s drill.

Even though it’s not quite clear if there are any chances for the small probe to “wake up”, ESA’s team believe it’s possible. “We still hope that at a later stage of the mission, perhaps when we are nearer to the Sun, that we might have enough solar illumination to wake up the lander and re-establish communication,” Stephen added.

Rosetta continues it's mission

Meantime, Rosetta continues its mission as it was moving back into a 30 km (18,6 miles) orbit around the comet. It will return to a 20 km (12,4 miles) orbit on December 6 and continue its mission to study the body in great detail as the comet becomes more active, en route to its closes encounter with the Sun on August 13, next year.

Humankind’s greatest questions could be answered

The data collected by the orbiter is as important as landing on a comet for the first time. Scientist are now able to watch the short- and long-term changes that take place in the comet, helping to answer some of the biggest and most important questions regarding the history of our Solar System.

“How did it form and evolve? How do comets work? What role did comets play in the evolution of the planets, of water on the Earth, and perhaps even of life on our home world,” ESA explains.

The mission started 10 years ago, and Rosetta is currently located 510 million km (311 million miles) from Earth in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius.