"We Are on the Comet!"
Some sounds from the Rosetta Mission team today after they succeeded in landing on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Steve Mirsky reports
By Steve Mirsky
SUBSCRIBE TO Science Quickly
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
“Philae is talking to us. First things he told us was that the landing gear has been moved inside, so we are sitting on the surface. Philae is talking to us, more data to come.”
Dr. Stephan Ulamec, manager of the Philae Lander of the European Space Agency’s Rosetta Mission, which earlier today set the Philae lander down on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
“We are on the comet!”
After the landing confirmation, some comments from Roberto Battiston, president of the Italian space agency.
“A small jump for the robot. A giant jump for mankind. So we have now Philae, which has gently landed on this strange place on a strange world, as a result of so many years of collaboration. And the fun is now beginning—because the science of this tremendous journey is going to start.”
—Steve Mirsky
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
