Message from Philae

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13 november 2014 | “Yesterday was exhausting. I actually performed three landings,” Philae tells us as it landed on comet 67P. A unique European achievement for all mankind, but researchers are still worried. Philae didn’t manage to attach itself to the comet and might still be unstable.

More than ten years ago, ESA launched its Rosetta-mission into space to conquer comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, also known as 67P or Chury. Yesterday, its journey came to an exciting climax as the Philae-lander detached itself from Rosetta to set course to the surface of the comet.

It took Philae three times to get grip on the surface and whether and how it is attached to the comet remains unclear until now. Later today, ESA will give a pressconference about the current conditions of the lander. For now we have to do it with this incredible picture of Churyumov-Gerasimenko taken by Philae on the moment of landing. 

Welcome to a comet! First CIVA images confirm @Philae2014 is on surface of #67P! http://t.co/EYSlRFjQBb #CometLanding pic.twitter.com/3OOSKGEh9L

— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 13, 2014