Located on the surface of the comet Churyumov – Gerasimenko probe “Fila” asleep – perhaps forever. Before this unit for the first time in the history of mankind has made drilling comets and gave maximum scientific data to Earth, which already allows us to call the mission successful.
Shakespeare passions in space
The scientific work of the first in the history of mankind of a spacecraft that is stranded on a comet over. Landing area of the probe “Fila” still was inhospitable place – because here almost did not get the sunlight needed to charge the batteries of the probe, the scientists tried to turn it so that the solar panels began to get more light.
Apparatus able to turn 35 degrees, but it did not save him.
Around 3:30 MSK ESA reported that all instruments on the probe, “Fila” disconnected from -this low charge, and the probe is moved in sleep mode. Some time transmission of data to Earth from comet Churyumov – Gerasimenko still continued. After another 15 minutes, when all the scientific data has been transferred, the connection with the device has been lost.
Twitter that employees ESA conducted on behalf of the probe “Fila”, at the end of the events began issuing reports that up to limit heightened emotions of those on-line watching the fading of the machine. “That’s hard work … tired … charge my battery runs out soon” – read one of the last messages on behalf of “Phil».
The Passion of the drama of the night, some Twitter users have named not only as ” Shakespearean ».
« More than a 100% success »
Despite such early completion of the probe “Fila” on the surface of the comet, scientists involved in the mission, regard it as a 100% success.
One of the most recent tweets made from the face of the probe “Fila” is a picture control room, where, it seems, has already started the party. “My room control after more than a 100% success rate”, – reads the tweet.
Scientists have warned that the scientific measurements strongly discharge capacity of 60 hours of battery unit. With the camera ROLIS probe was able to pass on Earth new images of the comet – the results of nearly 60-hour stay on the comet were obtained her unique images taken at three different points. With the help of “Ptolemy” data were obtained and the composition of the comet’s nucleus.
But the most main event – a successful drilling of the comet. Samples were examined and the results of the probe at its best transmitted to Earth.
This is the first in the history of mankind direct study of comet material!
Powys on the penetrator
The unit “Rosetta” is still flying next to the comet Churyumov – Gerasimenko, but “Fila” he will not respond. On the one hand, the entire project, which lasted for the past decade, is definitely worth considering as a great scientific success. Moreover, the researchers argue that “Fila” transmitted to the Earth about 70% of all the data that they expected to receive in the course of the experiment. On the other hand – the failure of the engine, landing threefold and spent € 1 billion project may cause skeptics to speak negatively about the project.
He brought the whole experiment is a small jet engine, he had to help probe “Fila” foothold on the comet and not bounce off its surface. At the moment of contact special props had to take the blow, and special harpoons must shoot at the ice surface. In this jet engine was to compensate for the momentum of harpoons and press machine to the comet.
As a result, the engine broke down and the machine sat on the comet three times. Thus harpoons reactivate failed, so the last hours “Fila” held on the comet using penetrator – drill mounted on one of the instruments of the probe.
It is not clear how the unit performed its task. It was assumed that the “Fila” will look at the comet left-handed amino acids. This would give a strong argument in favor of the version that life on Earth has been brought by comets. In addition, the probe was to measure the concentration of argon – such data will help scientists to understand what was the temperature of the solar system during the formation of the nucleus of the comet 4.6 billion years ago.
To be continued …
orbiter “Rosetta” in October 2016 must exhaust their fuel. Scientists do not know what to do with it, but are inclined to to lean against the machine to the comet. And then the “Rosetta” and “Fila” reunited in the second, the last time.
But maybe it will not be the second and third part of the dramatic story of the first in the history Humanity direct investigation of the comet.
The mission leaders admit , the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, which moves in an elongated orbit around the Sun with a period of 6.6 years, in the near future so change its position in the solar system, that the rays fall on the solar panels of the probe “Fila” in sufficient quantities, and it will work again. Therefore, the science department “Gazety.Ru” until goodbye to probe “Fila”, and only wish him good night.
No comments:
Post a Comment