since moved to the National University of Singapore.">

Back to Pointing At Science

Rosetta makes history

By Steve Pointing • 12/11/2014


Momentous history was achieved in space today – Rosetta’s probe Philae successfully touched down on the surface of a comet after a chase of more than 6 billion km.  The probe will attempt to characterise the surface and subsurface of the comet, and may start to answer some of the most fundamental questions about how life began on earth – since comets are thought to have been a source of organic compounds and water, which are essential for the creation of life!

Follow the mission at: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Touchdown!_Rosetta_s_Philae_probe_lands_on_comet


Philae lands on the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (image: ESA)