ESA

Rosetta & Philae photos on Earth and background story #cometlanding

Back in 2000, the planning and testing for the Rosetta mission was in full swing. First tests where done with full size models, in the largest vacuum chamber in Europe. Later Rosetta itself was rigorously tested under vibration, in vacuum, cooled down and heated  up, to test if all system would function properly in outer

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André Kuipers interview at Philae landing event #cometlanding

As spaceflight enthusiast we all dream of becoming an astronaut and float weightlessly through space. In our minds, we know that the chances of this dream becoming reality in this lifetime, are slim. But dreaming is a good thing, as it keeps humanity going forward to realize our dreams of becoming a spacefaring species. Living,

André Kuipers interview at Philae landing event #cometlanding Lees verder »

Philae mission 100% success! Now taking a nap #cometlanding

It was totally awesome to follow all the messages that where live tweeted from the ESA headquarters in Darmstadt. It was also very exciting. Nobody did know if a link could be established between Rosetta and Philae tonight. Philae’s solar panels didn’t catch enough sunlight to charge the onboard battery the battery would be depleted soon.

Philae mission 100% success! Now taking a nap #cometlanding Lees verder »

Philae landing event @SpaceExpo in Noordwijk The Netherlands #cometlanding

Last Wednesday, ESA Netherlands organized a live media event at SpaceExpo in Noordwijk The Netherlands to watch the landing of Philae on comet 67P.

I was happy to be invited, and that I could share in the joy en excitement, when the signal of the save landing of Philae on 67P was received by ESA in Darmstadt and projected on the big screen at SpaceExpo in Noordwijk.

Philae landing event @SpaceExpo in Noordwijk The Netherlands #cometlanding Lees verder »

Philae has landed successful, Rosetta relays telemetry #cometlanding

Yesterday 12 November Philae made a successful landing on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. It did not just land one time, but bounced back and landed three times. Clearly the harpoon system didn’t fire so Philae made two hops. First landing 15:34 UTC incoming 1m/s outgoing 48 cm/s and jumped up for about 1km Second landing about two hours

Philae has landed successful, Rosetta relays telemetry #cometlanding Lees verder »