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NASA Stardust Returns to Earth

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-isn't-that-special dept.

quadsoft writes "The Globe and Mail reports "Dugway Proving Ground, Utah -- A space capsule ferrying the first comet dust samples to Earth parachuted onto a remote stretch of desert before dawn Sunday, drawing cheers from elated scientists. The touchdown capped a seven-year journey by NASA's Stardust spacecraft, which zipped past a comet in 2004 to capture minute dust particles and store them in the capsule.""

2 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Wow by SunPin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is a truly impressive mission. Fire and forget is one thing but bringing back pieces of a comet is... in my opinion, right up there with the moon missions.

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    Laws are for people with no friends.
  2. Stardust Mission May Continue by Rob+Carr · · Score: 4, Insightful
    According to the article Capsule of comet dust lands back on Earth, "The Stardust mothership will remain in orbit around the sun, and Duxbury said NASA is considering sending it to another comet or asteroid."

    So, even after this successful capsule recovery, this might not be the end.

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    This sig seemed like a good idea at the time....