It is with some sadness that I report that Philae is asleep. More likely than not, he tipped over, but he may have simply ended up in a shady spot that didn't provide enough solar power. In any case, his batteries have been exhausted and he has powered down. If, by luck of the comets, his solar panels do eventually store up enough energy, he may try to speak to us again. Rosetta will remain in orbit and will keep listening for him.
While there is some sadness, there is also still much cheer. Many, many firsts were accomplished on this mission that I would do well to remember was launched 10 years ago. Philae did transmit a lot of scientific data while operating with his battery. He did land. And the pictures both he and Rosetta took allowed us to see far more detail than we've ever seen. While many were hoping to get more scientific work done on this trip to 67P, it has been quite fruitful already and Rosetta will continue to operate and give us the closest look we've ever had at a comet as it approaches the sun.
Thank you, Philae.
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