Scientists and researchers at the European Space Agency  (ESA) admit they're still trying to determine the exact status of the Philae lander after it successfully touched down on Comet 67P Gerasimeko-Churyumov, the first such event in human history.

The landing was a complicated process and scientists are trying to figure out what exactly happened during the landing, said Stephan Ulamec, Philae's lander manager. Ulamec confirmed previous data showing Philae bounced off the surface of the comet so that Philae didn't land once but twice. It's also unclear if the two harpoons that were to have securely attached Philae to the comet had completely failed.

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The primary goal of this mission is to study the composition and terrain of comets, which are ancient relics from the early formation of the solar system.

Philae's cameras captured photos of the comet's surface from some two miles away. Initial data revealed the landing was very precise and really close to the originally planned landing site.

The landing, however, suffered a setback when two harpoons that were supposed to latch Philae securely onto the comet's surface didn't fire. Scientists are now trying to find a solution that will make the harpoons re-fire.

Rosetta has been traveling in deep space for 10 years and used the Earth's and Mars' gravitational forces to propel it towards Comet 67P. Last January, an alarm woke Rosetta from a three-year hibernation period that conserved its energy.

Rosetta rendezvoused with the comet last August and has been following the comet ever since. It will continue to orbit comet 67P until 2015 as it sends data back to Earth.

Right now, communications with Philae has been cut off and scientists are still looking for ways to re-fire those harpoons. They worry Philae might be hurled away from the tumbling asteroid if the harpoons don't secure the lander to the comet's surface.

Scientists are now working feverishly to decipher data gathered from the landing. Thursday morning should provide more information about Philae's exact status.

TagsA Historic Comet Landing for Mankind But Philae's Status Still Unknown After Harpoon Failure, ESA, rosetta, philae, comet 67P, watch comet live, historic comet landing