I think the understanding of the electron was the product of theoretical science...once somebody asked "what can electrons do for us?"

could of bounced off comet as harpoons didn't work

no gravity

Was new technology developed for Rosetta and can it be reused for other ESA missions?
The solar cells in Rosetta's solar panels are based on a completely new technology, so-called Low-intensity Low Temperature Cells. Thanks to them, Rosetta is the first space mission to journey beyond the main asteroid belt relying solely on solar cells for power generation. Previous deep-space missions used nuclear RTGs (Radio isotope thermal generators). The new solar cells allow Rosetta to operate over 800 million kilometres from the Sun, where levels of sunlight are only 4% those on Earth. The technology will be available for future deep-space flights, such as ESA’s upcoming Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer.

Systems that control the temperature inside the spacecraft are another example of technological spinoffs from the Rosetta mission. When a spacecraft is near the Sun, overheating is a problem, and can be prevented by using radiators. But in the outer Solar System, the problem is keeping the spacecraft and its subsystems warm. The system devised for Rosetta employs several new techniques, including the installation of louvres over the radiators, to keep spacecraft hardware at proper operating temperatures.

Rosetta also includes a number of highly innovative subsystems, some of which have been reused in other ESA missions, including Mars and Venus Express.

Why spend such a huge amount on public money on studying remote stones in space?
ESA’s task is to explore the unknown. In the case of Rosetta, scientists will be learning about comets, objects that have fascinated mankind for millennia. Comets are thought to be the most primitive objects in the Solar System, the building blocks from which the planets were made. So Rosetta will provide exciting new insights into how the planets (including Earth) were born and how life began.

It is important to consider that what may seem pure science ends up contributing to the store of human knowledge, and the advancement of knowledge always has relevance to everyday life, in the practical as well as the philosophical sense. Many technologies developed for space eventually lead to advances in other areas, though it is very difficult to predict when and how basic knowledge will result in practical benefits. If there had not been a need for particle physicists to share data, there would be no World Wide Web.

There are also direct spin-offs, like Rosetta’s advanced solar cell technology.

ESA is very careful to optimise the financial resources available in order to get the maximum profit, in terms of scientific results, technology and – last but not least – advances for European industry.

The educational fallout from major science endeavours should also not be underestimated. Missions like Rosetta are inspiring and fascinating, and help to get more young people interested in science, including many who may eventually choose a scientific career.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Frequently_asked_questions

It will all be ok until they build another Canary Wharf..

Thank you very much for the rosetta.esa.int/ link, xmon.

I was down the hospital as it landed and was happy to see it did so.

Saw the 1910 live link - will be tuning in tomorrow @ 1300 for the live report.

Nice one and thanks again for the link.

heres an excellent video of difficulty of mission

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5iyZTXiX78&feature=youtu.be


trilby--yeah its great when its live on-line

on-line viewing was much better than TV pics,with a reporter commenting on whats happening

Hello! An update on life on #67P - Yesterday was exhausting! I actually performed 3 landings,15:33, 17:26 & 17:33 UTC. Stay tuned for more
9:36 AM - 13 Nov 2014

.@pbdes reporting things not ideal with Philae: on side; broken solar panels; incredibly dark resting place anyway...#CometLanding

Do we get a refund ?

like muslims?

Fair play to you for admitting that.. it's the nature and will of man to continually push at boundaries, acquire new knowledge and use it to our advantage and the common good.
Had **** Spaiens not already been doing that for thousands of years we WOULD still be huner/gatherers and living as cavemen.

Cost about £2.80 per EU citizen, have we got our money's worth in your opinion?

I was in the first school year to do Computer Science 'A'-level.
We wrote programs in 'Basic', and learnt Algol and Fortran. We submitted our attempts to secretaries for them to punch out 5 or 8-hole paper-tape.
We waited until the computer operators ran our tapes through the machine in air-conditioned rooms and then report back if they had errors - in which case we'd do it all again. The hard disks were the size of car wheels.
That was just four decades ago... worth every penny of £2:80 imho.

comet much larger than I thought





https://mobile.twitter.com/Amazing_Maps/status/533016318895980545/photos

Shows why we'd prefer they don't collide with us

Still at least we found it...I don't think anyone has yet found our own
Beagle II lander on Mars...and wont now, battery would have gone

They should wait until the battery is almost flat then do the little risky jump they were considering doing to try and land in a better place, it's the logical thing to do.

Wrong Fred? Only thing comet's sell is overpriced white goods

A lot of money for little, but we must try these things, we do not know yet if and how comets have affected the earth,

The main mission is Rosetta which will follow the comet over the coming months as it heats up and forms a tail. The lander was only a secondary mission and only expected for 60 hours data. A lot of info will be gleaned from it (the comet was a lot softer than expected for starters). It wasn't money wasted, it was money well spent.

It has drilled into the surface. Analyse sample in the inboard lab.