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STARDUST: finessing expensive cometary sample returns.

D E Brownlee¹, P Tsou, K L Atkins

¹University of Washington, Department of Astronomy, Seattle 98195, USA.

Acta Astronautica

|July 1, 1996

Summary

The STARDUST mission collected cometary coma and interstellar dust samples using silica aerogel. These primitive materials were returned to Earth for laboratory analysis to understand their composition.

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Area of Science:

Planetary Science
Cosmochemistry
Astrophysics

Background:

Primitive solar system materials offer insights into early planetary formation.
Cometary dust and interstellar dust are key components of these primitive materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To collect and return samples of cometary coma and interstellar dust to Earth.
To analyze the composition and properties of these extraterrestrial samples.

Main Methods:

The STARDUST mission spacecraft captured dust particles (1-100 micrometers) using aerogel.
Samples were collected during a flyby of Comet Wild 2.
Returned samples undergo laboratory investigation.

Main Results:

Keywords:

NASA Discipline Exobiology Non-NASA Center

Related Experiment Videos

Successful collection of cometary dust samples.

Successful return of samples to Earth for analysis.

Conclusions:

The STARDUST mission provides a unique opportunity to study pristine cometary and interstellar materials.
Analysis of returned samples will enhance understanding of the early solar system.