Royal Mail Postmark Celebrates Comet Landing

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[press release[
ROYAL MAIL POSTMARK TAKES OFF FOLLOWING ROSETTA MISSION SUCCESS

    • Royal Mail is issuing a postmark to highlight the historic moment the European Space Agency landed a spacecraft on a comet
    • The Philae lander touched down on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko yesterday following the Rosetta orbiter’s 10 year mission across the Solar System
    • Royal Mail’s postmark will be delivered on mail across the UK on Friday and Saturday. It will say: ‘Celebrating the first ever landing on a comet. Congratulations to the European Space Agency.’

RosettapostmarkLetters delivered across the UK will be reaching for the stars tomorrow (Friday 14th November), as Royal Mail celebrates the European Space Agency (ESA) landing a spacecraft on a comet, with a special postmark.

Yesterday (November 12) saw the the ESA make history as the Rosetta orbiter’s Philae lander touched down on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

It was the first time that a spacecraft has landed on a comet. The Rosetta orbiter began its ten year journey in 2004, chasing the comet across the Solar System. The mission aims to conduct unprecedented scientific analysis of the comet and its environment.

To mark the occasion, Royal Mail’s postmark will appear on millions of items of mail delivered to addresses nationwide on Friday and Saturday.

It will say ‘Celebrating the first ever landing on a comet. Congratulations to the European Space Agency.”

Andrew Hammond from Royal Mail, said: “We’re thrilled to be marking the European Space Agency’s fantastic achievement with one of our special postmarks.

“The Rosetta mission has captured the public’s imagination and excitement about space exploration, and we’re pleased to be recognising this historic moment in this unique way.

“Our postmark is set to take off and will appear on mail delivered by our postmen and women across the UK.”

Royal Mail’s postmark programme is used to celebrate historic moments, sporting events and highlight our support of charities. The postmark is also used to remind customers to post their mail in time for certain occasions, such as Mother’s Day or Christmas.