Advertisement

  1. National

Philae probe finds 'organic molecules' on comet

Scientists working on data collected the Philae probe have said that during a drill for a soil sample the Philae probe was able to "sniff" organic molecules.

Earlier, incredible images showed the moment the Philae probe dropped from its satellite and first landed on Comet 67P five days ago.

The high-resolution shots, taken by the Rosetta satellite's narrow-angle camera, capture the 30 minutes since the probe touched down on the comet's surface.

At the moment scientists have lost contact with the probe after its batteries died. It will only wake up if enough sunlight recharges its solar panels.

But the mission is still deemed a success as it is the first spacecraft to ever land on a comet.

View all 46 updates ›

Anxious moments as scientists await Philae data

Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) are facing anxious moments as they wait for data to be sent back from the Philae lander.

The craft should be sending data back from the surface of the comet it started drilling on earlier.

But Philae is also facing an energy problem.

It needs more sunlight to power its solar panels, meaning the ESA team may try to 'hop' it into a more favourable position.

ITV News Science Correspondent Alok Jha reports.

More on this story