Satellite News

Europe’s Philae lander was busily conducting experiments on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with just hours of onboard battery life left. It is estimated that the probe will have gathered at least 70 to 80% of the scientific data expected during the mission’s primary phase, possibly up to 90%, before running out of power. An attempt to move the lander into a more favourable position was at least technically successful. Whether it will prolong the lander’s life remains to be seen.

The final day of fuelling of the Astra 2G spacecraft was completed on schedule today in Baikonur. Joint operations are on schedule to begin tomorrow to support the ILS Proton launch of SES’s Astra 2G on 27 November at 2124 UTC. This will be the 400th Proton launch since its first flight in 1965 and the 7th Proton mission this year.