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Philae's Batteries Have Drained; Comet Lander Sleeps

Posted by timothy on from the amazing-feats-done-dirt-dirt-cheap dept.

astroengine (1577233) writes "In the final hours, Philae's science team hurried to squeeze as much science out of the small lander as possible. But the deep sleep was inevitable, Rosetta's lander has slipped into hibernation after running its batteries dry. This may be the end of Philae's short and trailblazing mission on the surface of Comet 67P, but a huge amount of data — including data from a drilling operation that, apparently, was carried out despite concerns that Philae wasn't positioned correctly — was streamed to Rosetta mission control. "Prior to falling silent, the lander was able to transmit all science data gathered during the First Science Sequence," said Stephan Ulamec, Philae Lander Manager. "This machine performed magnificently under tough conditions, and we can be fully proud of the incredible scientific success Philae has delivered.""

5 of 337 comments (clear)

  1. ShirtStorm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think we're all more interested in the shirt drama than any of this science stuff!

    1. Re:ShirtStorm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He's a scientist who can land a robot on a comet 10 years and 500 million kilometers away (well, it's a team effort, but anyway.) His girlfriend made him this shirt for his birthday. He gets to wear his lucky shirt on the day of the landing, capiche? There are still places where doing a good job is more important than looking the part, whatever that means. Need I remind you that the "computer people" didn't/don't look very reputable to business folk either?

    2. Re:ShirtStorm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not that I agree with wearing a shirt like that to work, but it appears a woman tattoo artist made it for him.
      https://twitter.com/ellypriZeMaN

      The tattoo shop has a picture of him in it.
      https://twitter.com/eternalartessex

    3. Re:ShirtStorm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      He's a scientist with a doctorate in physics. How shallow do you have to be to make a grown man cry and apologize for wearing a shirt that his girlfriend made for him? You fucking bastards! If you could do half as much science in your politically correct, dress-code compliant uniform as that man, you'd realize how destructive your comments about his appearance are. But you wouldn't spend years of your life working to design science experiments in obscurity. Otherwise you wouldn't put someone down on the day all that work comes to fruition. The people who take offense at that shirt are a disgrace to humanity. Get your priorities in order, embrace diversity and have some decency, for heaven's sake. Don't shit on a someone's work because of the way they dress! You'd think of all people geeks would understand the concept.

  2. Re:"Yeah, but fuck science... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...designed by women!