We landed on a comet! And that is amazing! But, as with many leaps in humanity’s collective progress, this one has come at a cost: the Philae lander and ESA’s Rosetta space probe have parted. And because we live in a truly remarkable age, the two machines have documented their friendship on Twitter. Click through for highlights!
The two have been talking to each other on Twitter while Philae was catching a ride on Rosetta’s back (we’re assuming it’s hard to hear in space, so tweeting was probably the most direct form of communication) reminiscing about their launchand teasing the scientists back home.
Mars Rover even jumped into the chat with a pep talk:
.@MarsCuriosity Thanks for your support! I’ll do my best. Keep up the amazing work on #Mars. Heard you made it to Mt Sharp. Excited?
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 6, 2014
However, as they approached the comet, the conversation took a sad turn:
Hi @ESA_Rosetta, did you realise that in exactly two weeks we’ll part ways for my landing at ‘J’ on #67P ?
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) October 29, 2014
Aww… and then finally the big day came, and Philae got ready to leave:
Ready when you are, @ESA_Rosetta. Give me a little nudge? #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
But Philae was quick to get back in touch!
.@philae2014’s first postcard just after separation – it’s of me! #CometLanding Credit: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA pic.twitter.com/OXJwGunL3V
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
It’s me… landing on a comet & feeling good! MT @ESA_Rosetta: I see you too! #CometLanding pic.twitter.com/DjU0J1Ey4H
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 12, 2014
Oh, but Philae’s harpoons didn’t fire! It’s a good thing Rosetta has its back…
Hang on in there Philae! MT @Philae2014: I’m on the surface but my harpoons did not fire. My team now trying to determine why. #CometLanding
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) November 12, 2014
And as if that wasn’t enough, Philae got a special congratulatory note from William Shatner!
“@ESA_Rosetta: .@WilliamShatner touchdown confirmed for away team @philae2014, captain!” Congratulations!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 12, 2014
Space friendships are the best friendships. You can see more details on Twitter at #CometLanding, and be sure to keep following Rosetta and Philae‘s respective Twitter feeds for news on Comet 67P!