This is cool. But there are a couple of interesting details that arent made clear in the video. First, once released, Philae is pretty much on a ballistic trajectory. No one will be remotely piloting it. It is on its own. Second, the comet is tumbling. We know the rate and direction in which it is tumbling and all of that has been taken into consideration with the decision on where and when to release Philae in order for it to reach the designated landing spot. But...it;s a comet! As it warms up it emits gases (which give the comet its tail) and those emissions function as reaction control thrusters which can alter the direction and speed of the comets tumbling. The lander has no way of adapting to those changes should they occur. Lastly, the comet doesnt really have enough gravity to reliably hold the lander to the surface after it lands. In fact, left unassisted, it would essentially bounce off the comet. So once the landing legs make contact, there are small rockets on top of the lander that will fire and keep it pressed to the surface long enough for corkscrew anchors on the landing legs to burrow into the surface of the comet to hold it in place. The hope is that the solar powered lander will be able to ride the comet as it slingshots around the sun and we will get detailed information both from the lander and the probe following behind the comet as it heats up and does what comets do. I cant wait!
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 23:41:11 +0000
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