Scientists say comet lander Philae may have shifted position, causing communication trouble
Posted Jul 20, 2015 08:32:12 AM.
Last Updated Jul 20, 2015 09:20:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BERLIN – Scientists say the Philae spacecraft that landed on a comet last year may have shifted its position, making it harder to communicate with the probe.
The European Space Agency says it hasn’t received data from the lander since July 9. Philae’s project manager, Stephan Ulamec, said Monday the pattern of sunlight on the lander’s solar panels appears to have changed, possibly due to a slight shift in position triggered by gas coming out of the comet.
One of Philae’s two transmission units also appears to be faulty.
Scientists plan to send further commands to the lander and hope it responds again, as has happened before.
The mission will now focus on the spacecraft Rosetta, which is following comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko that Philae is on as it goes around the sun.
