Polish scientists applaud Rosetta probe revival
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
15.06.2015 09:07
Polish scientists involved in the European Space Agency's Rosetta satellite mission have applauded the revival of a probe after seven months of hibernation.
A computer generated image of the original approach to the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Image: EPA/ESA
The Philae comet lander had lost contact with the ESA just 60 hours after landing on the 67P comet in November 2014, as the solar-powered battery was apparently not receiving sufficient sun rays.
However, there was jubilation on Sunday after contact was renewed.
“Philae lives and communicates,” the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences enthused on its Facebook profile.
“This is a huge success for European engineers.”
The Rosetta satellite was sent into space in 2004, and the Philae probe was dropped onto the 67P comet on 12 November, some 510 million km from Earth.
The comet lander had a bumpy landing and apparently settled in a place not sufficiently exposed to sunlight.
Polish scientists on the team are responsible for MUPUS, one of ten state of the art gadgets placed in the Philae probe.
MUPUS is comprised of a group of temperature sensors joined to a 35 cm long penetrator.
Comets are believed to hold crucial information about the original materials that built the Solar System over 4.5 billion years ago. (nh)