Separation of Philae has been confirmed. Philae is underway to comet comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and I will be underway to the ESA Rosetta press event in Noordwijk @Spaceexpo. There is a direct link with the ESOC headquarters in Darmstad so that’s going to be a lot of fun!
It looks like Philae has a minor problem that can hinder during with the landing and the anchoring right after. As the comet has very low gravity, Philae is equipped with a small cold motor that fires, when the harpoons are fired to fix Philae to the comet and the three drill to fix each of the legs are operated.
Data that came back from Philae shows that the motors doesn’t look to function… This can mean that it actually is not in working condition, but it can also mean that there is is faulty sensor and the motor is actually OK. There can’t be any thing done and ESA made the wise decision to continue with the mission.
Short interview with Paolo Ferri, head of mission operations, about the separation and the cold gas motor.