Philae detected the signs of life on comets

The initial data analysis showed that Philae had discovered traces of organic molecules containing carbon atoms, which are the basic element of life on Earth.

According to the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the COSAC gas analyzer on Philae can "smell" the air and detect organic molecules after landing. The team has not been able to determine whether the molecule contains complex compounds that make up proteins.

Philae was on the comet surface for 57 hours, before falling into a "hibernating" state .(Photo: Reuters)

Reuters said that one of the important goals of Philae's mission was to search for carbon compounds, through which to learn about the relationship between comets and life on Earth.

In the quest to find organic molecules, the landing gear was drilled onto the comet surface, but it was unclear whether it could transfer the specimen to the COSAC analysis system.

MUPUS is a tool to measure density and thermal properties equipped on Philae robots. Based on the analysis from MUPUS, the scientists identified the comet surface as not "soft" as previously thought.

After passing through 10-20cm thick dust, Philae's heat sensor may have reached a layer of hard material like ice. This discovery makes scientists not surprised.

The European Space Agency's (ESA) exploration robot landed on the surface of comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko on November 12, after a 10-year journey. After 57 hours, Philae falls into a state of "hibernation" because of energy exhaustion.