Scientists gear up to land spacecraft on comet for first time ever

The European Space Agency is making final preparations to land the first unmanned spacecraft on a comet next week, and scientists are hoping that technology designed a quarter century ago will perform as planned. Europe’s Rosetta space probe was launched in 2004 with the aim of studying comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and learning more about the origins of the universe. After successfully getting Rosetta to rendezvous with the comet in August, scientists intend to release a small landing craft called Philae onto its icy surface.

There is no doubt that we’ll hit the comet. Whether we hit it safely is another matter.

Andrea Accomazzo, spacecraft operations manager

The European Space Agency, which relies for funding on its member states, has sought to drum up public interest in the mission with a series of high-profile campaigns over the past year. These include an online vote on what to name the landing site — Agilkia, after an island on the Nile River, was chosen — and the release of a sci-fi short film called “Ambition” starring “Game of Thrones” actor Aidan Gillen.

Science comet