http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/24/world/philae-lander-revival/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
The comet lander Philae fell silent when scientists weren't receiving any data and that's when they found out that the batteries drained out. They thought all chances of getting new data would be over. After looking closely, they realized that Philae has another chance at life. Even though it bounced off a comet and didn't land where it was supposed to, it got scientists different views of what they've never seen closely before. A scientist explained that Philae was able to complete the original mission with the battery it had, but it landed on a place without sunlight. Luckily, engineers were able to rotate the probe before it officially died so a large solar panel would be exposed to sunlight. They believe that with enough sunlight, it will be able to warm itself and be enough to automatically restart the spacecraft.
This relates to APUSH because with the technology we have today, it can open many doors and the history that happened now can help with what we can discover in the near future. I found this interesting because luckily, engineers were quick enough to rotate a solar panel on the probe so it could get sunlight and hopefully recharge. Who knows what we can discover once Philae starts up again and shows us new data?
I never would have thought of the possibility that the sun might be this probe's last chance. What they've done with technology and what they are able to discover still will always amaze me.
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