The historical mark of comet exploration robots

The European Comet Exploration Program has made history by landing a lander on the surface of a comet for the first time, opening up many opportunities to explore the history of the formation of the Solar System.

Simulation of Philae on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Image: ESA

The Rosetta spacecraft carrying the Philae robot began its journey from Earth 10 years ago, traveling 10 billion kilometers before approaching comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in August. Philae separated from the Rosetta spacecraft at about 4 p.m. (Hanoi time) on November 12 and landed 7 hours later. The European Space Agency (ESA) said the Rosetta spacecraft had to move to the right position so that Philae, which has no propulsion engine, could "free-land" in the right orbit of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was discovered in 1969. It is 4 km in diameter and lies about 500 million km from Earth.

Weighing about 100 kg and about the size of a household washing machine, Philae is equipped with a series of experiments to image and examine the surface of 67P, as well as to learn what happens when the Sun's heating effect causes dust and gas.

On 67P, the lander’s sensors will measure the density and thermal properties of the surface. The gas analysis system will detect and identify complex organic chemicals that may be present. Other experiments will measure the magnetic field, interactions between the comet and the solar wind. Philae also carries a small drill that can drill down to a depth of about 20 cm and deliver the necessary materials.

After leaving the mothership and starting to descend, Philae could have been knocked back. In a press conference, ESA said that Comet 67P has weak gravity, so anchoring hooks were designed to launch and lock onto the surface. However, this process failed.

According to Stephan Ulamec, head of the Philae robot program, the robot may land on 67P not once, but twice. ESA hopes to have more precise information tomorrow.

An image captured from the surface of 67P. Photo: ESA

Historical mark

Experts say last night’s event was the first soft landing, or controlled landing, in history. With this step, they hope to learn more about the components of the comet and how it interacts with the solar wind. In some previous missions, spacecraft have encountered problems and crashed into the celestial body.

"Rosetta's ambitious mission has made its mark in the history books, not only as the first to rendezvous with and orbit a comet, but also as the first to land a lander on its surface," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA director general.

"Rosetta is on a mission to answer big questions about the history of the Solar System. What were the early conditions like and how did they evolve? What role did comets play in this evolution and how did they work?", said Matt Taylor, a scientist on the project.

According to science fiction author Alastair Reynolds, the ESA’s success can be likened to science fiction becoming reality. Rosetta also brings humanity one step closer to the biggest answer: whether we are alone in the universe.

Aside from the scientific results, the challenge and ambition of this mission could prove that the Solar System exploration program has taken a big step forward, opening up many opportunities for other future research.

According to VnExpress