Philae Lander Probe Latest News: In Amazing Feat, Philae Drills Comet's Surface Before Shutting Down
Performing one amazing act after another, the first man-made probe to land on a comet reported back to Earth on Saturday, telling the world how it defied incredible odds on Day 1 of its residency near a craggy cliff on the icy comet 67P not very far from Jupiter.
Before shutting down after a hard day's work, the European Space Agency's Philae lander sent streams of scientific data to mission control in Darmstadt, Germany, via its orbiting mothership Rosetta.
The 100-kilogram lander earlier drilled into the comet's surface, radioed back to Earth what it was doing, executed commands to move itself from its mooring to catch more sunlight to better recharge its batteries, and performed other scientific studies.
"First comet drilling is a fact!" ESA posted on Twitter Friday night. Scientists said the drill penetrated more than 25 cm (10 inches) from the comet's surface.
"This machine performed magnificently under tough conditions, and we can be fully proud of the incredible scientific success Philae has delivered," gushed out Stephan Ulamec, lander manager. "Prior to falling silent, the lander was able to transmit all science data gathered during the First Science Sequence," he added.
Andrea Accomazzo, the Rosetta flight director, was also ecstatic. "This mission is fantastic, let's look at what we have achieved, not at what we would have done differently. This is unique and will be unique forever," she said.
Scientists earlier expressed apprehension that the small lander that touched down on the comet on Wednesday would not have enough battery power to do its assigned work and report back to Earth 500 million kilometers away.
To the scientists' delight, Philae delivered everything expected before its official Twitter account sent back to Earth this message: "I'll tell you more about my new home, comet 67P soon... zzzzz."
On Saturday, scientists reported that Philae's batteries have drained, shutting down the washing machine-sized probe after an adventurous and largely unscripted 57-hour mission.
As the comet moves towards the sun, Philae's batteries may recharge enough for a follow-on mission.
"Perhaps when we are nearer to the sun we might have enough solar illumination to wake up the lander and re-establish communication," Ulamec said in a statement.
Scientists said even if the robot stays asleep for a long time, it has already accomplished its expected tasks. Drilling into the comet and bringing up a sample to analyze onboard is Philae's primary mission.
Scientists have already received the sample data sent by Philae but have yet to analyze them.
Aside from drilling the comet's surface, the robot also used its radiowave instrument and camera to study the comet's internal structure.
Photos and other data relayed by Philae showed a shadow hanging over it, suggesting that it is near a cliff wall or perhaps inside a crater.
Comets are believed to be the leftover materials produced when our solar system came into being some 4.6 billion years ago. Scientists say ancient organic molecules are preserved deep in the comet's icy rock that may contain the mystery on how the planets and living things evolved.