Stardust returns to Earth
Posted: Sun, Jan 15, 2006, 6:24 PM ET (2324 GMT)
The capsule from NASA's Stardust spacecraft, carrying dust collected from a distant comet, parachuted to a safe landing in the Utah desert early Sunday. The capsule touched down in the US Air Force Utah Test and Training Range at about 5:10 am EST (1010 GMT) and was spotted by a recovery team about 45 minutes later. Project officials were concerned during the descent because they could not get confirmation that the capsule's drogue chute opened as planned, but the main parachute did deploy and brought the capsule down to a safe landing. The 45-kilogram capsule is carrying dust samples collected by Stardust when it flew past the comet Wild-2 in January 2004. The main Stardust spacecraft remains in orbit around the Sun and may be used for observation of other comets or asteroids.
The capsule from NASA's Stardust spacecraft, carrying dust collected from a distant comet, parachuted to a safe landing in the Utah desert early Sunday. The capsule touched down in the US Air Force Utah Test and Training Range at about 5:10 am EST (1010 GMT) and was spotted by a recovery team about 45 minutes later. Project officials were concerned during the descent because they could not get confirmation that the capsule's drogue chute opened as planned, but the main parachute did deploy and brought the capsule down to a safe landing. The 45-kilogram capsule is carrying dust samples collected by Stardust when it flew past the comet Wild-2 in January 2004. The main Stardust spacecraft remains in orbit around the Sun and may be used for observation of other comets or asteroids.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Roscosmos replaces cosmonaut on next Crew Dragon mission to ISS
Posted: Sat, Dec 6 9:45 AM ET (1445 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, December 12
Ramon Sanchez Joins Firefly Aerospace as Chief Operating Officer
Firefly Aerospace — 6:16 am ET (1116 GMT) Firefly Aerospace Adds Volta’s Wireless Power Receiver to Blue Ghost Mission on Far Side of the Moon
Firefly Aerospace — 6:16 am ET (1116 GMT) The Exploration Company is Developing an In-Orbit Serving Vehicle
European Spaceflight — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) Draco: atmospheric reentry from the inside
ESA — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) Ariane 6 – made in Romania
ESA — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) |
