Posted on 11/14/2014 9:43:11 AM PST by Red Badger
The Philae lander has attempted to drill into the surface of Comet 67P, amid fears that its battery may die within hours.
The European Space Agency (Esa) says the instrument is being deployed to its maximum extent, despite the risk of toppling the lander.
Scientists hope the tool will be able to capture some samples for analysis in the robot's onboard laboratories.
If the battery dies, the results may not make it back to Earth.
It is not known precisely where on the comet Philae is located, but the pictures it has returned indicate it is in the shadow of a cliff.
The limited sunlight the robot receives means its solar panels cannot keep the battery systems properly topped up.
Engineers doubt the probe, in its current position, can stay powered beyond Saturday.
The dwindling energy reserves have therefore prompted the mission team to deploy the drill now.
Although the activity is among Philae's key objectives, it is also highly risky, because the torque on the tool could destabilise the delicately placed lander.
But Esa believes that the closing power window makes that risk worthwhile.
Commands were uploaded on Friday morning to deploy the tool, and early telemetry indicated it had extended 25cm from the base of the lander.
However, it was then that the orbiting Rosetta satellite, which has been relaying telecommunications from the probe, passed over the horizon and out of contact.
The results of the drilling will not now be known until Rosetta tries to re-establish the radio link on Friday night.
Stephan Ulamec, the Philae lander manager, said: "The drill has been active today, whether it will sample and will succeed in bringing these samples to ovens - we shall know this evening.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
One remarkable image taken by the "mothership" Rosetta shows Philae as a tiny speck, headed for history.
Where did Philae actually touch down? Images from the OSIRIS camera on Rosetta show the area surrounding original target site (highlighted in red)
This picture was taken by the lander itself just 40m from its bumpy touchdown
Space Ping!.........................
Even if they don’t get more data this mission was a pretty good first step. Eventually we can mine asteroids and comets.
At least ESA staff had a good time cheering and hugging one another. That’s worth something.
BTW I just want to be the first to say something stupid about NASA and muslim outreach.
Because the greenies are against nuclear payloads such as what Voyager and Cassini had, they are stuck with solar and see where that got them.
With a a hang time of 1 hour and 50 minutes, it should be in the NFL.....................
One of the plans being floated is to kick off the surface with the extendable arms in hopes of settling in a better spot.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! ......................WE HAVE A WINNAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DOES THIS COMET NOT ROTATE?...............
They probably do that everyday anyways........................
Yeah it has something like a 12 hour rotation rate.
But which way is the axis?..................
No clue.
Personally I would have voted to land on the bigger end.
Shoulda used these..................
At least ESA staff had a good time cheering and hugging one another. That’s worth something.
...
There was a lot of hype. And considering what is now an obviously poor design and execution, it was undeserved.
You Euros lost it.
You Euros can go save it.
Why buy one when two is cheaper? Back-up, Back-up, Back-up.
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