After a historic comet landing on Nov. 12 by the Philae robotic lander from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe, there's a possibility the space lab could now be using the last of its useable power.

ESA has just uploaded commands to Philae to deploy its drill. This drill will take samples of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's terrain. Philae will then analyze these samples using its onboard suite of instruments.

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The lander is currently in a delicate position and could topple down a cliff, which is where it finally landed after bouncing off the comet twice.

Philae landed inb a shadow of a cliff and isn't enough sunlight to recharge its batteries beyond Saturday.

Radio contact with Rosetta this Friday night will apparently be the last time ESA engineers will be able to try to make contact with the lander before it runs out of power.

The mission team apparently isn't sure where the lander is exactly. ESA scientists have been intensively working on radio transmissions and readings between the probe and the lander so they can triangulate its position.

According to Paolo Ferri, head of mission operations from the ESA, some follow up images from Rosetta should be able to locate the tiny lander. Ferri is adamant their engineers will find a solution to Philae's power shortage.

A solution that will be executed Friday is to command the lander to turn its body so the largest solar panels are exposed to the sun. This should be able to absorb more solar power for the space lab.

The Rosetta probe traveled in deep space for 10 years searching for Comet 67P, which it finally rendezvoused with last August. This mission aims to study comets that are considered to be ancient relics from the origins of the solar system.

TagsRosetta's Philae Lander Batteries Could Die Tomorrow, ESA, rosetta probe, philae lander, comet 67P, rosetta philae comet 67P batteries die