Comet probe Philae is stable after failing to attach to surface

A probe that landed on a comet Wednesday after travelling 4 billion miles is stable on the surface, European scientists said Thursday morning as they released a new image from the lander.

There had been some concern after thrusters that were meant to push the probe, called Philae, onto the surface, and harpoons that would have anchored it, failed to deploy properly. Initial data from the spacecraft indicated that it lifted off again, turned and then came to rest.

See also: Rosetta's ultimate mission: Landing on a comet

Concerns lessened this morning at 7am CET when the flow of data from the probe resumed after the orbiter spacecraft, Rosetta, came over the horizon, Head of Mission Operations for the European Space Agency Paolo Ferri, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Read more...

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