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Space Probe Loses Power

After a journey of ten years and 310 million miles to the surface of a comet, a history-making space probe may have ended its mission early.

The European Space Agency says the Philae probe's battery is dead.

Philae, which is about the size of a washing machine, was supposed to keep transmitting data from Comet 67P for nine months, as it passed the sun. But the probe landed on the comet's dark side, away from the sun so its solar panels can't generate power. Scientists say they are no longer receiving transmissions from Philae, but they did retrieve these amazing images before it went dark.

They were also able to collect data that scientists will use to help determine the comet's physical make-up.

The ESA hopes a rotation of the solar panels before the battery died may revive the probe in the coming months, as the comet moves closer to the sun.

stephanie.jarvis@ideastream.org | 216-916-6340