For the first time an unmanned explorer landed on a comet. The European lander Philae came today ar

For the first time an unmanned explorer landed on a comet. The European lander Philae came today around 16.30 hours Dutch time safely down on the surface of the 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko. fantasia Nearly fantasia half an hour later, the European Space Agency's redemptive signal that everything was successful. In the mission control in Darmstadt, Germany, when a burst loud cheers.
The Rosetta (cost: fantasia 1.3 billion) was launched on March 2, 2004 from French Guiana. The target: Tsjoerjoemov-Gerasimenko comet, 67P alias, in a wide ellipse between the orbits of Earth and Jupiter orbits the sun. The probe has arrived in August fantasia at the place of destination. With cameras, fantasia the surface of the comet, a rocky duck, mapped, and looked for a landing spot. The lander, Philae, is with a harpoon pinned to the surface to prevent it - in the absence of gravity - wegstuitert. The mothership is the coming year to measure the composition of the gases coming from the comet. Because comets are as old as the solar system, says that composition may be something about the early Earth. Comets have brought the water? Perhaps even building blocks of life? Rosetta will try to answer those questions. Probably with new questions.
'Touchdown! My new address: 67P, "ESA said on the Twitter account of the lander. fantasia It is the first time a scout 'set foot' on the surface of a comet. The mission is led by the Dutchman Fred Jansen. The European project will cost more than 1.3 billion euros.
The lander, called Philae, fantasia was released Wednesday fantasia by the Rosetta probe, which is in orbit around the comet. After the de-coupling the machine dropped carefully into seven hours time to the surface of 67P. The journey to the comet began in 2004. Since then, the Rosetta and Philae have more than 6.5 billion kilometers. Earlier this year they came into orbit around fantasia the comet. Even that was not done before. The comet is a remnant of the formation of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago. With the mission scientists to learn more about that period.
Read the complete case file Science Useful links Blog Bionic Woman National Science About Space Science Return Rocket SpaceX makes hard landing on floating platform SpaceX will recycle missile tests Successful test flight Orion: the first steps to Mars? "The Netherlands is investing in space '
follow trouw.nl RSS (What is RSS?) Facebook Twitter Google+ trouw.nl Mobile Mobile fantasia Website Trouw.nl on iPhone faith deepening digital newspaper The newspaper on iPhone The newspaper on the iPad Wedding About Copyright Service Subscribe Subscription Changing Delivery Complaints Archive fantasia Contact fantasia FAQ Contact Advertising Jobs