People are ecstatic about the momentous awakening of the first space probe to ever land a comet
(ESA/ATG medialab)
At 4:28 pm ET, June 13, scientists around the world let out a huge sigh of relief: The Philae lander — the first space probe to ever land on a comet — transmitted its first signal after sitting dormant for over seven months!
Scientists weren't sure if Philae would ever wake up after it powered down last November with the final words on Twitter:
My #lifeonacomet has just begun @ESA_Rosetta. I'll tell you more about my new home, comet #67P soon… zzzzz #CometLanding
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) November 15, 2014
But it looks like the little lander may stand up to its promise after all. Philae is now awake from its slumber and gearing up for some future discoveries on its home, comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
And people are ecstatic.
Philae's first words after it's long nap have already been retweeted over 30,000 times! Here's what the lander had to say:
Hello Earth! Can you hear me? #WakeUpPhilae
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) June 14, 2015
Since the news broke, #Philae and #WakeUpPhilae have trended on Twitter. This kind of social media love for Philae is reminiscent of when the lander generated more Twitter attention when it first landed on the comet on November 12, 2014 than Kim Kardashian's nude photos, which were released the same day.
Twitter is already abuzz with the news, generating inspirational, hysterical, and just adorable comments.
The science team in charge of Philae were perhaps the most ecstatic of all. Here's some of the Philae team's response to the news:
Joy for .@ESA as comet lander #Philae wakes up after seven months: http://t.co/mClJNdWHiI+ @WilksJeremy analysis pic.twitter.com/drsZy5IIxQ
— euronews (@euronews) June 14, 2015
And the satellite that transported Philae millions of miles through space, Rosetta, was very happy for the news, as well:
Incredible news! My lander Philae is awake! http://t.co/VtzAQHx4zT pic.twitter.com/SZqnsnNpUZ
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) June 14, 2015
There's even some jesting about who fixed Philae. Of course, the more likely explanation is that Philae is now receiving more direct sunlight that is recharging its solar batteries.
#WakeUpPhilaeWe know who fixed it. pic.twitter.com/yZQvhfrC7u
— Sophia Cannon (@UndercoverMutha) June 14, 2015
And the closer the Philae-carrying comet gets to the sun, the more sunlight the lander might receive and the more power it will have to make scientific discoveries:
"I feel a song coming on!" http://t.co/VUJJmdrUr9#HereComesTheSun pic.twitter.com/h5aeK2V1hk
— SarcasticPhilae (@SarcasticPhilae) June 14, 2015
Even NASA astronaut, Scott Kelly, who is spending a year aboard the International Space Station — long than any American before — was happy for some company:
#Philae, I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one awake out here. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/8tsVeZjgTW
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) June 14, 2015
Here's what Philae has in common with an Alaskan tree frog:
Nature can rival comet lander Philae’s deep space snooze#BBCGoFigure #WakeUpPhilae http://t.co/DcxvABJ6O8 pic.twitter.com/Rn4t3YrrWH
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 15, 2015
A nice sketch to celebrate the event:
People are getting emotional about the little comet lander finally waking up http://t.co/EWYruD3zBR #WakeUpPhilae pic.twitter.com/5wDOYxI9T3
— DailyEdge.ie (@dailyedge) June 14, 2015
And last, but certainly not least: The best tweet of all:
One does not simply become all badass like #Philae and come back from the forever nap 👌 https://t.co/LeVFhb8lps
— Dr. Ptəiradactyl ಠ_ಠ (@geo_teira) June 14, 2015
NOW WATCH: Scientists finally figured out how to land on a comet going 35,000 mph
More From Business Insider