Rosetta Mission: European scientists makes history as Esa lands spacecraft on comet
European robot probe Philae has made the first, historic landing on a comet, after descending from its mothership.
The landing on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was confirmed at about 1605 GMT.
There were cheers and hugs at the control room in Darmstadt, Germany, after the signal was confirmed.
It was designed to shine a light on some of the mysteries of these icy relics from the formation of the Solar System.
The landing caps a 6.4 billion-kilometre journey that was begun a decade ago.
The lander sank about 4cm into the surface, suggesting a relatively soft surface.
The first pictures from the surface have already reached Earth and are being processed in preparation for release.
Credit: BBC
Photo Credit: ESA
The landing on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was confirmed at about 1605 GMT.
There were cheers and hugs at the control room in Darmstadt, Germany, after the signal was confirmed.
It was designed to shine a light on some of the mysteries of these icy relics from the formation of the Solar System.
The landing caps a 6.4 billion-kilometre journey that was begun a decade ago.
The lander sank about 4cm into the surface, suggesting a relatively soft surface.
The first pictures from the surface have already reached Earth and are being processed in preparation for release.
"This is a big step for human civilisation," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, the director-general of the European Space Agency (Esa).Shortly after the touchdown was confirmed, Stephan Ulamec, the mission's lander chief, said: "Philae is talking to us... we are on the comet."
Credit: BBC
Photo Credit: ESA
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