A handful of scientists at TU Dresden will be very excited tomorrow: Research associates at the Chair for Radio Frequency Engineering are tensely observing the landing of space probe ‘Philae’ on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G). During the past 10 years, Philae has traveled 6.4 billion kilometers through space, being carried by its mother ship ‘Rosetta’. Now, for the first time in history, the robot is ready to take the challenge of landing on a comet. The complex Rosetta mission was initiated to increase mankind’s knowledge on genesis of our solar system.

The Philae lander weighs about 100 kilograms and carries ten scientific instruments which will perform different tasks in measuring the comet and researching its composition. TUD professor and cfaed investigator Dirk Plettemeier is heavily involved in the development and data analysis regarding one of the robot’s instruments, which is called CONSERT (COmet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission). That is why he will be on site in the operations center of German Aerospace Center (DLR) to have a close eye on Philae’s separation from Rosetta and its touchdown at the comet.

CONSERT is one of the most significant instruments within the Rosetta mission, and it is the only one featuring devices onboard both, the Philae lander and onboard Rosetta. Microwave signals will be transmitted by Philae, and after traversing the comet core they will be absorbed by the corresponding onboard unit at Rosetta. These data is expected to provide information on the inner composition of 67P, which has an age of approx. 4 billion years. Since comets are among the oldest and most pristine space objects, scientists might reveal some of the hidden secrets around the emergence of the solar system and even of the development of life on earth.

The CONSERT instrument will start first measurements during Philae’s descent to the comet. Two hours after landing, CONSERT will continue its operation – if all is going well. The risk of unexpected incidents cannot be underestimated. It is impossible to predict the particular conditions at the comet’s surface and whether the many technical facilities onboard Philae will be fit for the conditions on site. Provided the landing will go to plan, CONSERT will be able to carry out further measuring sessions until late February 2015.

DLR web portal about the Rosetta mission: www.dlr.de/dlr/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10394/

Information for Journalists:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Plettemeier

Phone: 0351 463-33941 (Secretariat)