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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.""

5 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. In unrelated news..., by rah1420 · · Score: 4, Funny

    All contact has been lost with the residents of the town of Piedmont, AZ. State Police have set up a perimeter around the area and all residents are advised to stay indoors until further notice.

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    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens.
  3. 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....
  4. Typo, I hope by troon · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article:

    Early Sunday, that capsule nose-dived through Earth's atmosphere at a record 29,000 mph, the fastest return for a man-man probe.

    No comment required...

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    Ydco co ,df C erb-y go. a Ekrpat t.fxrapev
  5. Some serious rocket science by AngryNick · · Score: 5, Interesting
    WOW! Imagine pushing the return capsule off your side of the mother ship at 28,860 mi/hr and 4 hours later finding it safely on the ground...in the exact spot you wanted it to land. Mr. Bush, this is how space exploration should be done!

    From NASA press release:
    "I have been waiting for this day since the early 1980s when Deputy Principal Investigator Dr. Peter Tsou of JPL and I designed a mission to collect comet dust," said Dr. Don Brownlee, Stardust principal investigator from the University of Washington, Seattle. "To see the capsule safely back on its home planet is a thrilling accomplishment."

    NASA has posted a few pictures and press releases.

    Congratulations to all involved.