Fed2 Star - the newsletter for the space trading game Federation 2

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by ibgames

EARTHDATE: June 21, 2015

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COMET LANDER PHILAE HAS WOKEN UP

by Hazed

Welcome back to the Philae lander, that landed on comet 67P last November, and then vanished from contact. It has now woken up and phoned home.

Philae touched down on the comet but its harpoons and thrusters didn’t work properly so instead of clinging to the rock, it bounced several times, finally coming to rest in a shadowy area. It worked for 60 hours before its solar-powered battery ran flat, and because it was in the shadow of a cliff it wasn’t able to recharge.

Now the comet has moved nearer to the sun and the area where Philae was hiding is no longer in shadow. The lander has been able to get enough power to work again, and to get in touch with mission control.

A burst of communication lasting 85 seconds were relayed to Earth last Saturday, followed by three more ten-second bursts on Sunday. The information contained in those communications told scientists that Philae was ready for operations and could start using its scientific instruments.

Another burst of data came through on Wednesday and then some more on Friday. In order to establish a better comms link with Philae, the Rosetta space orbiter is going to move closer to the comet.

If contact can be maintained we should get some fascinating data as the comet rushes towards the sun – and maybe some spectacular pictures.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33126885
http://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2015/jun/15/philaes-revival-could-
advance-science-by-20-years

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/17/rosetta-space-orbiter-philae-lander-comet
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/19/philae_lander_sends_back_message_that_its_back_in_
the_sunshine_and_ready_for_work/

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