Training sessions for the Philae comet lander

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:50:00 +0100

The original Philae comet lander has been travelling through space since 2 March 2004. It is currently in hibernation mode, awaiting its arrival at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. But the Philae models on the ground are being put through their paces: they are being tested to breaking point and examined by DLR.

Good night, Rosetta – European comet chaser goes into hibernation

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:40:00 +0200

On 8 June 2011, the Rosetta spacecraft will be put into hibernation after having travelled through space for more than seven years. To reduce energy consumption, the European probe will be flying in 'economy mode' as it heads towards its destination, the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. But this will be no break for researchers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR); they will continue to train in preparation for Rosetta's arrival in May 2014. Six months after reaching the comet, Philae, the Rosetta lander, will become the first spacecraft to land on a comet.

DLR Portal - Rosetta

Training sessions for the Philae comet lander

Good night, Rosetta – European comet chaser goes into hibernation