LIVE: Scientists face 'seven hours of terror' as they release probe to land on comet - with a faulty thruster

The Philae lander has successfully separated from the Rosetta spacecraft. The mission control team in Darmstadt, Germany are pictured celebrating top right. It is now preparing to land on comet 67P (bottom right) later today at 3.30pm GMT (illustration shown left). The 'flawless separation' was confirmed at 09.03am GMT. The first image of the lander heading towards the surface is due at 2pm. But a thruster problem could threaten the mission's success. The cold gas thruster on top of the lander is not working properly. This makes the chances of the lander bumping off the surface greater. This will be the first time a spacecraft has ever landed on a comet. If all goes to plan confirmation of the landing is expected at 4pm GMT.