News Planetary Science

Comet lander’s exploration cut short

Despite rough touchdown, Philae able to collect some data

Philae images of comet 67P

FINAL RESTING PLACE  The first two images from the comet’s surface, combined in this mosaic, suggest Philae landed at the base of a cliff. One of the lander’s feet is seen in the foreground.

CIVA/PHILAE/ROSETTA/ESA

By Ashley Yeager

On November 12, a robot called Philae fell from its mother ship Rosetta onto comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, touching down not once but three times.