4 ms·
Note that Philae has already performed most of the experiments that were planned in the first two days it was operational and that all data from those experimen
by reo9Sahx 11y ago
Note that Philae has already performed most of the experiments that were planned in the first two days it was operational and that all data from those experiments has been received.
Philae never was a failure, that it now wakes up again is an additional bonus.
Also consider that an additional O(100kg) for an RTG significantly alters your energy requirements to get into orbit (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_equation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_equation)
- drzaiusapelord 11y agoTFA: “The power from the solar arrays is not sufficient, on its own, to drill and analyse cometary samples, for example.” Its clear that power is an issue and an RTG would have solved it. These don't sound like "bonuses" to me.
- happyscrappy 11y agoLater in the article: "And eventually, Philae will hopefully get sufficient power in its battery to drill into the comet and analyse its make-up." Although claiming it was never a failure is pretty laughable.