NASA's Stardust Probe In 'Excellent' Condition After Return To Earth

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This NASA TV image shows NASA's Stardust sample return capsule being wheeled into a temporary cleanroom at the Michael Army Air Field in Utah. Earlier, the capsule successfully landed at the U.S. Air Force Utah Test and Training Range at 2:10 a.m. Pacific time (3:10 a.m. Mountain time). It contains cometary and interstellar samples gathered by the Stardust spacecraft. The capsule's science canister is safely stowed inside a special aluminum carrying case awaiting transportation to the Johnson Space Center, Houston, where it will be opened. Image credit: NASA.

Washington DC (AFP) Jan 15, 2006
The US space probe "Stardust" was in superb condition after returning to Earth Sunday carrying precious dust from stars and comets, according to mission officials.

The 46-kilogram (101-pound) capsule was in "absolute excellent condition" after landing in the Utah desert, ending a seven-year journey across billions of kilometers (miles) in space, said Joe Vellinga, the Stardust program manager for US aeronautics firm Lockheed Martin.

Launched in 1999, Stardust collected the samples in the first attempt to gather, beyond the Moon, space particles that date back to before our solar system was born, or about 4.5 billion years ago.

Scientists believe the samples could offer vital clues about the origins of our solar system.

"I am very proud to say that after seven years and almost 2.9 billion miles (4.63 billion kilometers), in a harsh environement space, the Stardust capsule is back on earth, back home in our hands," said Andrew A. Dantzler, director of NASA's Solar System Division.

NASA described the capsule's entry speed -- at 46,444 kilometers per hour (28,860 miles per hour) -- as the fastest ever of any human-made object, topping the record set in May 1969 by the returning Apollo 10 command module.

"When we saw that drop chute open, we knew we were home safe," said Tom Duxbury, the mission's manager for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Source: Agence France-Presse

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