Staff Writer
The
European Space Agency (ESA) successfully landed the space probe Philae on comet
67p/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The Rosetta
space mission began on March 2, 2004 and continues even after its first ever
comet landing, which took place on Wednesday, November 12.
There
are two parts of the spacecraft used in the mission: the orbiter and the
lander. The orbiter moved through space, carrying the lander which successfully
laid anchor upon arrival of comet 67p/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Unfortunately, the ESA lost contact with Philae on November
15. The probe was able to send all recorded scientific data to the ESA. It is
possible for Philae to regain power when the comet passes by the sun in August
2015.
The landing is the first time a manmade object has landed on
a comet. The probe will stay attached to the comet collecting samples, taking
pictures, and monitoring the flight pattern of the comet. The priority for
Philae is to collect as much information about the comet as possible.
