The Philae lander
Credit: ESA/ATG medialab
The lander’s structure consists of a baseplate,
an instrument platform and a polygonal sandwich
construction, all made of carbon fibre. Some of the
instruments and subsystems are beneath a hood
covered by solar cells. An antenna transmits data
from the surface to Earth via the orbiter. The lander
carries nine experiments, with a total mass of about
21 kg. A drill will sample the subsurface material.
Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer - Lowered to
within 4 cm of the ground, APXS will detect alpha
particles and X-rays to gather information on the
elemental composition of the comet’s surface.
Rosetta Lander Imaging System - ÇIVA/ROLIS is
a CCD camera that will obtain high-resolution
images during descent and stereo panoramic
images of areas sampled by other instruments.
Six identical micro-cameras will take panoramic
pictures of the surface. A spectrometer will study
the composition, texture and albedo (reflectivity)
of samples collected from the surface.
Evolved Gas Analyser - MODULUS PTOLEMY is
another evolved gas analyser that will obtain accurate
measurements of isotopic ratios of light elements.
Comet Nucleus Sounding - CONSERT will probe
the internal structure of the nucleus. Radio waves
32
32
from CONSERT will travel through the nucleus and
will be returned by a transponder on the lander.
Cometary Sampling and Composition experiment
- COSAC is one of two ‘evolved gas analysers’. It
will detect and identify complex organic molecules
from their elemental and molecular composition.
Multi-Purpose Sensor for Surface and Subsurface
Science - Mupus will use sensors on the lander’s
anchor, probe and exterior to measure the density,
thermal and mechanical properties of the surface.
Rosetta Lander Magnetometer and Plasma Monitor
- Romap is a magnetometer and plasma monitor
that will study the local magnetic field and the
interaction between the comet and the solar wind.
Sample and Distribution Device - SD2 will drill more
than 20 cm into the surface, collect samples and deliver
them to different ovens or for microscope inspection.
Surface Electrical, Seismic and Acoustic Monitoring
Experimens - SESAME’s three instruments will
measure properties of the comet’s outer layers. The
Cometary Acoustic Sounding Surface Experiment
will measure the way sound travels through the
surface. The Permittivity Probe will investigate its
electrical characteristics, and the Dust Impact Monitor
will measure dust falling back to the surface.
www.RocketSTEM .org