Rosetta Spacecraft Lands on Comet

After a long journey, and bouncy landing,
Rosetta Philae safely sits on the comet.  

In 2014, the science field was literally out of this world. In Europe, the robotic lander had accomplished its mission and was the first to be down in human history. The Rosetta's Philae module landed on comet 67/P Churyumov- Gerasimenko on November 12th.

After a decade trip and four billion miles of space travel, the lander settled in a shady spot on the comet. The European Space Agency over a frantic fifty-seven hours had their scientists conducting experiment after experiment. Several of the instruments on Philae made the first direct analysis of a comet, and it sent back data that can be analyzed by the scientists who will determine the composition of the surface. They performed and collected all the data they could before its solar-powered batteries shut down. Philae is sleeping on the comet now, but it may wake up again next summer, when the comet next turns toward the sun.


Comet 67/P pieces that were collected from the European scientists.