The initial sample data from the robot probe also found that the surface was much harder than thought, the scientists report.
The lander control center in Cologne, operated by German Aerospace Center (DLR), said Philae has uncovered much about the comet in spite of a rough touchdown in a less-than-perfect spot.
"We are well on our way to achieving a greater understanding of comets," said project scientific director Ekkehard Kuhrt.
"Their surface properties appear to be quite different than was previously thought."
The DLR said the MUPUS probe -- one of Philae's 10 onboard science instruments -- hammered into the comet to discover it was "a tough nut to crack."
"Although the power of the hammer was gradually increased, we were not able to go deep into the surface," research team leader Tilman Spohn said.
Electric and acoustic experiments confirm the comet was "not nearly as soft and fluffy as it was believed to be" underneath a surface layer of dust.
Despite its imperfect footing, Philae managed to deploy a drill, but it's not clear whether any soil sample has been examined onboard.
Yet, the team said that Philae's COSAC gas analyzer managed to "sniff the atmosphere and detect the first organic molecules" shortly after landing.
Some astrophysicists theorise that comets seeded our fledgling planet with the beginnings of life-giving water and organic molecules, and hoped that analysis of 67P would prove this.
"Analysis of the spectra and the identification of the molecules are continuing," the team said.
Philae may get in touch next year
Philae fell asleep on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on Saturday, having run out of onboard battery power after 60 hours of prodding and probing the surface.
Project manager Stephan Ulamec said he was confident that Philae would make contact later "and that we will be able to operate the instruments again" as the comet moves closer to the sun.
Read more at Discovery News
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