Sadly, even space agencies with budgets of tens of billions of dollars are not immune to the pathetically lacking longevity of batteries. The Philae lander has landed in an awkward position where its solar panels can't see the Sun, and thus its battery reserves are quickly running down. The European Space Agency will now try a series of heroic measures to try and keep Philae alive, but there's the regretful possibility that Friday night -- tonight -- will be the last time we hear from the probe.