Rumour
Rumours that MASCOT deployed a towel to its landing site 8 hours prior to actually landing are being denied by DLR sources.
Not content with unleashing a couple of robots to photograph the surface of asteroid Ryugu, JAXA probe Hyabusa2 successfully deployed the German MASCOT lander this morning. Released by means of a spring-loaded plate, the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout was deployed from the Hyabusa2 51 metres above the surface of the asteroid, …
The swingarm is also a flywheel.
See also the phrase: "Once the first measurements have been conducted, MASCOT – again driven by the flywheel – will change location and repeat the experiments there." from the link you made yourself. So it isn't El Reg that made that up.
PS: I think this article on the actual mechanism is applicable.
Yeah, I know, it's amazingly hilarious when words in a foreign language sound a little bit like the sort of thing which makes five year old children laugh hysterically.
Tell you what, why not do a Web search for the meaning of "Raumfahrt" (hint: it's German) and while you're at it find out what "Inselaffe" means too.
This message brought to you by yet another Brittunculi.
Yeah, I know, it's amazingly hilarious when words in a foreign language sound a little bit like the sort of thing which makes five year old children laugh hysterically.
Jokes like that are the reason for the standing proposal before the International Astronomical Union to rename the seventh planet to Urrectum.
<grumpy tirade>
I find it annoying the way they cute-tify space probes, by anthropomorphing them (perhaps to reach a younger audience?)
NASA does it, and Japan is doing the same.
“Ooo, look, I farted some gas to change my course to the asteroid”, “My bad, I used non-metric units and completely missed my target”.
They are machines, designed by us! (Us, meaning talented humans). We can celebrate those who designed, built, and operate them, without needing to resort to baby talk.
</grumpy tirade>
For all this involve in the mission,kudos!