They're saying the anchors didn't fire and the nitrogen tank to aid in landing didn't open and they aren't sure that the lander is sitting on the surface and will stay there. They may try firing the anchors again if they think they need to.
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ESA Operations @esaoperations · 14m 14 minutes ago
More analysis of @Philae2014 telemetry indicates harpoons did not fire as 1st thought. Lander in gr8 shape. Team looking at refire options
ESA Operations @esaoperations · 14m 14 minutes ago
It looks like @Philae2014 made a fairly gentle touch down on #67P based on amount of landing gear damping #CometLanding
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Or that the surface was soft enough that it didn't bounce off. If it bounced I wonder if the gyro they have on it to maintain orientation would have prevented it from rotating.
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Philae Lander @Philae2014 · 5m 5 minutes ago
I’m on the surface but my harpoons did not fire. My team is hard at work now trying to determine why. #CometLanding
It sounds like the lander is actually on the "ground" of the comet but I imagine that is very tenuous until they can get the harpoons to fire.
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I wonder if they're afraid that firing the harpoons might kick the lander off the comet or something? I would imagine they pack a punch, and if the lander is steady now...
Yeah if it ain't broke don't fix it. Or if it's stable now maybe they'll do some science now and then try firing the harpoons later, I imagine they're there to prevent the lander from being tossed off due to any seismic activity as the comet warms.
EDIT: Still have the livestream up, trying to infer things by body language
__________________ Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
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Emily Lakdawalla @elakdawalla 21m21 minutes ago
Just had a chat with Mark McCaughrean and I feel a bit calmer....
Emily Lakdawalla @elakdawalla 20m20 minutes ago
McCaughrean: @Philae2014 is down on the surface of the comet and it is transmitting signals. Science instruments are getting data.
Planetary Society retweeted
Emily Lakdawalla @elakdawalla 19m19 minutes ago
Not knowing about the stability is clearly worrisome, but by any reasonable measure Philae is successful, and we can expect good data.
Planetary Society retweeted
Emily Lakdawalla @elakdawalla 3m3 minutes ago
But hey, maybe this means @Philae2014 will be the first ever comet rover! #justkidding #wellmostlykidding #CometLanding
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Yeah if it ain't broke don't fix it. Or if it's stable now maybe they'll do some science now and then try firing the harpoons later, I imagine they're there to prevent the lander from being tossed off due to any seismic activity as the comet warms.
EDIT: Still have the livestream up, trying to infer things by body language
I would LOVE to have voice on those discussions...
Foundation for Space @developspacesa · 21m 21 minutes ago
There will be a loss of connection between Rosetta & Philae in about 2hrs. This is expected as Rosetta moves out of range temporarily!
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ESA Operations @esaoperations 2m2 minutes ago
Incoming! Final stages of @Philae2014’s touchdown seen through ROLIS camera http://ow.ly/EaX2e #cometlanding
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Jason Major @JPMajor 4m4 minutes ago
The first images from Philae are apparently coming in… we should be seeing some released to the public shortly! #CometLanding
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Emily Lakdawalla @elakdawalla 4m4 minutes ago
There is a live media briefing in 10 minutes from ESA. As I am on radio I will be retweeting others' tweets
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