article_snippet: That was when the battery ran down on the 100-kilogram (220-pound) lab after the battery bumped down in a rugged, shadowed part of the comet.
article_snippet: The hope is that as the comet races towards the Sun, more light will bathe the probe's solar panels, enabling more light to power up again and resume work.
article_snippet: Engineers saw an early chance in March when comet and lander were about 300 million kilometers (187 million miles) from the Sun, and the amount of solar radiation had nearly doubled compared to November.
article_snippet: The duck-shaped comet 67p/Churyumove-Geraismenko is moving closer to the sun and warming up as
article_snippet: But there are some fears that dust thrown up by the landing and movement of the comet could have covered the lander's solar panels.
article_snippet: Comet 67p is due to reach Comet 67p closest point to the sun in August this year and this is when scientists believe scientists have the best chance of hearing back from the lander.
article_snippet: If sufficient energy cannot be stored in the battery, the solar energy available during the comet daytime will determine whether a reduced version of the measurements can be performed.
highlights_snippet: As the comet gets closer to the Sun European Space Agency may receive more sunlight .
  