Scientists bid farewell to Philae comet robot

Scientists from the German Space Agency (DLR) give up hope to restore contact with space exploration robots Philae because its solar panels have stopped working.

According to Reuters, DLR scientists said on Monday that they suspected Philae was covered in dust and was too cold to function.

The final image of Philae robot exploration in November 2014.(Photo: ESA).

"Unfortunately, it is probable that Philae will contact our team at the DLR Landing Control Center almost zero. We will not receive any further signals," said Stephan Ulamec, Philae's project manager. DLR said on February 12.

In November 2014, Philippe landed on the star Beet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko and operated for 60 hours, communicating and transmitting information on the ground. It is considered a remarkable feat of precision space travel. However, it was then trapped in a cliff, not collecting enough energy and "hibernating".

Philae suddenly resurrected in June last year, transmitting more than 300 data packages to DLR headquarters, giving hope to scientists that it will complete some experiments not yet done, before the battery Heaven stopped working.

However, since July 9, Philae had not contacted the Rosetta spacecraft, which it separated before landing on comet in 2014. The last attempt to reestablish contact with Philae failed.

"If now receives its signal, it is extremely surprising," Ulamec said.

Philae exploration ship model.(Photo: Reuters).

Nighttime temperatures can now fall below -180 degrees Celsius why Brushes 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko move away from the Sun. This heat is much colder than Philae's tolerance. In addition, the battery collects its solar power, which may have been covered by dust.

Although Philae does not perform as many experiments as expected, the information it provides has initially reshaped the knowledge of comets, and will be useful lessons for scientists to design vessels. future exploration kit.