Photo: The precipitous terrain of Comet 67P/Churyumov Gerasimenko. Photograph: Demotix Live News/Demotix/Corbis
The entire world could change starting today as mankind is about to score a first in our history: landing on a comet. After a 10-year mission, Rosetta’s Philae probe is making its first-ever landing on a celestial object that we've only looked at from afar. Scientists around the world are gathered at the European Space Operations Centre, the European Space Agency’s mission control in Darmstadt, Germany, witness the event.
The iconic mission started by the European Space Agency and dubbed Rosetta is experiencing its climax today. After a night of great tension and pressure for those discussing whether the probe will or won’t be launched today, the team of scientists decided to give it the final go, this morning.
Once the probe successfully separated, Rosetta has been doing manoeuvrings to move away from the comet, while still keeping Philae and the landing site in view. After the two spacecraft separated, a tense moment of waiting for a new signal has stormed the entire crew, even though it was expected.
The signal did, however, reestablish with Rosetta and it started relaying telemetry from the lander. In other words, this meant scientists could follow Philae all the way to the surface of the comet.
Animation and video clips to promote the project
The European Space Agency has constantly been updating the mission status, with videos of the different stages being uploaded on their YouTube account. In fact, they have been building all sorts of animations long before today as part of a promotional campaign.
Even though we listed ESA’s live stream below, we will be trying to keep you guys up to date with all the fresh info and any new footage once it’s available. Meanwhile take a look at the images and videos they created to explain the mission’s every step.
P.S. Random fact off-topic there is already a person wearing the mission on his skin, literally, as a tattoo. We integrated in the gallery, just so you know.
GMT+ 16:15 The Philae lander has landed. The European Space Agency have tonight made history by landing on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. “We are the first to do this - and that will stay forever.” Jean Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA said seconds after the success.
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