Philae lander, taken from Rosetta after separation Facebook post 10.00 UT Wednesday 12 November: Image of the Philae lander taken from the Rosetta spacecraft, as the lander began its descent at 08.35 UT this morning. All antennae and landing gear in place
Facebook post 14.40 UT Wednesday 12 November: Rosetta lander mission update 14.40 UT: ESA confirms that the link with the Philae lander has been established successfully - comms with Earth has to be via the Rosetta spacecraft in orbit. The dynamics team have just confirmed that the lander is on the correct trajectory. Finally landing is expected at 15.34 UT, so confirmation signal should be received at about 16.02 UT. Everything is going really well - although of course noone has control over what the lander may encounter on touchdown.
Facebook post 14.40 UT Wednesday 12 November: Rosetta lander mission update 14.40 UT: ESA confirms that the link with the Philae lander has been established successfully - comms with Earth has to be via the Rosetta spacecraft in orbit. The dynamics team have just confirmed that the lander is on the correct trajectory. Finally landing is expected at 15.34 UT, so confirmation signal should be received at about 16.02 UT. Everything is going really well - although of course noone has control over what the lander may encounter on touchdown.
Image of landing site 3 km range taken by Philae on descent Facebook post 16.15 UT Wednesday 12 November: Rosetta lander mission update 16.15 UT: we have confirmation that the lander is on the surface of the comet and providing telemetry. So looks like we're down and alive - absolutely amazing!
Facebook post 16.45 UT Wednesday 12 November: Rosetta lander mission update 16.45 UT: a more detailed (but still early) look at the state of the Philae lander indicates that it may not be securely attached to the surface - no indication that the harpoon anchors have fired. This is causing some concern, and the lander controllers have a difficult decision as to whether to attempt to fire the anchors again. The lack of security is an issue as, due to the very low surface gravity, the weight of the lander is tiny despite the fact that its mass is around 100 kg. So firing the harpoon anchors now may make the situation worse. They are still expecting to receive imagery from the surface this evening.
Facebook post 16.45 UT Wednesday 12 November: Rosetta lander mission update 16.45 UT: a more detailed (but still early) look at the state of the Philae lander indicates that it may not be securely attached to the surface - no indication that the harpoon anchors have fired. This is causing some concern, and the lander controllers have a difficult decision as to whether to attempt to fire the anchors again. The lack of security is an issue as, due to the very low surface gravity, the weight of the lander is tiny despite the fact that its mass is around 100 kg. So firing the harpoon anchors now may make the situation worse. They are still expecting to receive imagery from the surface this evening.
Landing site image taken by Philae just prior to touchdown (range unknown).
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