Rosetta's lander Philae wakes up from hibernation. Image: ESA.
When Matt Taylor heard that comet lander Philae has finally woken up after 7 months he was ecstatic.
Philae has managed to build enough charge from the sun to contact Earth from the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
Philae became the first spacecraft to land on a comet when it was dropped on to the surface of one by its mothership, Rosetta, last November.
Dr Taylor spoke to Nine to Noon from backstage at the Metal Hammer Magazine awards, where he had just received the "Spirit of Metal" award.
Hello Earth! Can you hear me? #WakeUpPhilae
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) June 14, 2015
Me this morning during @Philae2014 @ESA_Rosetta teleconf pic.twitter.com/bSPHwXV2jQ
— Matt Taylor (@mggtTaylor) June 14, 2015
Hello @ESA_Rosetta! I'm awake! How long have I been asleep? #Lifeonacomet
— Philae Lander (@Philae2014) June 14, 2015
Incredible news! My lander Philae is awake! http://t.co/VtzAQHx4zT pic.twitter.com/SZqnsnNpUZ
— ESA Rosetta Mission (@ESA_Rosetta) June 14, 2015