 |
 |
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
Scientists elated with initial Stardust comet flyby results BY WILLIAM HARWOOD STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION Posted: January 2, 2004 The Stardust probe flew through at least two significant jets of debris during its approach to comet Wild 2 today and captured a stunning image of the comet's icy heart showing overlapping pits and depressions where material boiled off in the past. At least five active jets can be seen in the black-and-white navigation camera image, along with a huge, partially shadowed pit that would hold dozens of Rose Bowl stadiums.
A spacesuited astronaut exposed to such debris "wouldn't exist anymore," he said. "You would have been sand blasted to little particles as fine as the dust." But Stardust, protected by thick bumpers, survived intact as it flew within 143 miles of Wild 2's nucleus at 2:22:20 p.m. EST (1922:20 GMT) today. Signals confirming the event reached Earth at 2:44 p.m. Scientists did not expect - and did not want - to fly through any active jets of debris out of fear large particles could damage the spacecraft. No such jets were predicted, but the comet had other ideas. "The data is just being looked at on the jets," said Don Brownlee, the principal investigator. "It certainly was surprising because we expected to see the flux increase at close approach and then decrease. What we saw was this big burst of particles, which would have terrified us and made our job much more difficult if we would have known about it ahead of time!" Said Duxbury: "There's a saying that ignorance is bliss. And this is something I was sure glad I was ignorant of. ... There were two significant jets we barreled right through. But as we know, we're here smiling, we did survive."
"These pictures are really going to open up a new window into understanding how comets actually work," Brownlee said. "Seeing those pits, you realize there's some process going on you didn't realize even existed before." The primary goal of the mission, however, is the collection and return to Earth of dust samples blown off the comet. Instruments on board the spacecraft clearly measured the bombardment as Stardust approached, leaving no doubt millions of particles were captured by the probe's aerogel-filled collector. The collector will be stowed over the next day or so and returned to Earth in two years when Stardust flies past. "It was a very thrilling day for us," Brownlee said. "This is a very challenging and daring mission - Stardust flying into really unknown territory, the rock and dust clouds surrounding an active comet. We have successfully collected samples from a comet and we're bringing them home for analysis in laboratories all over the world."
|
|
|
|
Mission data Encounter - Detailed preview of Stardust's rendezvous with Comet Wild 2. The return - How Stardust brings the comet samples back to Earth. Stardust - A technical description of the spacecraft and its various pieces. Comet Wild 2 - Comet is the right snowball in right place at the right time for Stardust mission. Science - A look at the scientific objectives of the Stardust mission. Curation - An overview of how the samples will be handled on Earth and planetary protection issues. Other missions - Several past spacecraft have studied comets and future missions are planned.  Apollo 12 tribute DVD set  New! Featuring the jovial crew of Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 mission was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff but proceeded on the second successful exploration voyage to the lunar surface. This three-disc DVD brings the mission to life with extraordinary detail.  Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Fallen Heroes special patch  This special 12-inch embroidered patch commemorates the U.S. astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Women in Space  Women of Space: Cool Careers on the Final Frontier is for girls, young women, and anyone else interested in learning about exciting careers in space exploration. Includes CD-ROM.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Mars rover poster  This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.Choose your store:U.S. Current Shuttle Mission Patch  The official embroidered patch for shuttle Atlantis' flight to deliver critical spare equipment to the space station.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREAres 1-X Patch  The official embroidered patch for the Ares 1-X rocket test flight, is available for purchase.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREApollo Collage  This beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STORE Project Orion  The Orion crew exploration vehicle is NASA's first new human spacecraft developed since the space shuttle a quarter-century earlier. The capsule is one of the key elements of returning astronauts to the Moon.U.S. STOREFallen Heroes Patch Collection  The official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREGemini 7  Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Apollo patches  The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Mars Rover mission patch  A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Apollo 9 DVD  On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Get e-mail updates Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop (privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose).
|
||
|
MISSION STATUS CENTER INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE ADVERTISE © 2009 Spaceflight Now Inc. |
||||||
