ESA On Course to Land Probe on Comet: The First Comet Landing in History

The European Space Agency, or ESA, will attempt to make history on Wednesday November 12, 2014. ESA plans to land a probe onto Comet 67P from a satellite.

The probe, known as Philae, has been attached to the Rosetta satellite for the past 10 years as it travelled across the solar system. Philae, weighing 220 pounds, is equipped with cameras that will capture and transmit a panoramic view of both the landing and the comet back to Earth.  A live webfeed from ESA's mission control can be seen on its website.  The probe is also carrying analytical equipment that will test the surface of the comet for the effects of the sun on the comet. It will also analyze the surface material of the comet via a drill that has been attached to the probe.

After detaching from the Rosetta satellite at 9:03 am PST, Philae will not be able to maneuver en route to Comet 67P. Once it is in closer proximity to the comet, the probe will attach itself to the surface with harpoons and screws along with a thruster. ESA estimates that the probe will take seven hours to travel to Comet 67P and will land at 8:02 am PST.

The Rosetta satellite will orbit Comet 67P for a year, transmitting data from Philae back to Earth.

Though the ESA has planned carefully, and reports that their plans are unfolding well, there is still a variety of problems that can arise. One major problem is the uncertainty of the comet’s terrain. BBC news reports that the terrain is far from flat, and there is considerable risk of Philae tipping over in landing. However, ESA remains hopeful.  

The manager of the Rosetta mission Fred Jansen told reporters at ESA mission control, “We've analysed the comet, we've analysed the terrain, and we're confident that the risks we have are still in the area of the 75% success ratio that we always felt.”

If the landing is successful, the ESA will have confirmation about thirty minutes after the landing. Philae has the potential to uncover some of the mysteries of the solar system, such as the original material that the solar system was created from.