After thirty-one months of silence, this probe had to wake up by itself.

In June 2011, Rosetta went into hibernation. The craft moves away from the Sun, and its panels can no longer provide enough energy for full activity. A large part of the systems is put to rest. The silence must last thirty-one months, while the probe continues its trajectory.

On January 20, 2014, a scheduled sequence must bring it back to a state for communication. It is necessary to warm up equipment, find the necessary orientation and send a signal to the Earth. The teams are waiting for this confirmation before they can resume detailed operations.

The signal is received and confirms the awakening. This is not yet the arrival at the comet, nor the proof that all the instruments are ready: verifications follow. But an essential step is taken without instantaneous intervention from the ground. Before her distant rendezvous, Rosetta had to make a more discreet commitment: not to forget, alone in space, the moment to call back.