[meteorite-list] Genesis Sample Return Capsule Hits the Ground

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/genesis/main/index.html

Genesis Sample Return Capsule Hits the Ground
NASA
September 8, 2004

The Genesis sample return capsule's drogue and parafoil did not 
deploy as planned today, and the capsule impacted on the ground in 
the Utah desert (image at right). Since the spacecraft landed in a 
remote area, no people have been injured and no structures have been 
damaged. NASA has declared a spacecraft contingency, which calls for 
the establishment of a mishap review board within 72 hours.

As always, safety is the top priority, and NASA is working to make 
sure that no one is in danger from unexploded ordnance that was 
supposed to deploy the parachutes.

NASA is looking at trajectory and other data to determine what may 
have led to the failure of the parachutes to deploy. The capsule was 
designed to be able to survive such a landing. Until the spacecraft 
is transported to a "clean room" in Utah, NASA will not know the 
condition of the science samples, solar particles that were captured 
by Genesis and stored in the capsule.

NASA will share whatever we learn with the public as soon as 
possible.




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Donald Savage
Headquarters, Washington      Sept. 8, 2004
(Phone: 435/831-3957)

DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
(Phone: 818/393-9011)

RELEASE: 04-292

GENESIS MISSION STATUS REPORT

     The Genesis sample return capsule entered Earth's 
atmosphere at 9:52:47 MDT and entered the preplanned entry 
ellipse in the Utah Test and Training Range as predicted. 
However, the Genesis capsule, as a result of its parachute 
not deploying, impacted the ground at a speed of 311 
kilometers per hour (193 mph). The impact occurred near 
Granite Peak on a remote portion of the range. No people or 
structures were anywhere near the area.

"We have the capsule," said Genesis project manager Don 
Sweetnam of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, 
Calif. "It is on the ground. We have previously written 
procedures and tools at our disposal for such an event. We 
are beginning capsule recovery operations at this time."

By the time the capsule entered Earth's atmosphere, the 
flight crews tasked to capture Genesis were already in the 
air. Once it was confirmed the capsule touched down out on 
the range, the flight crews were guided toward the site to 
initiate a previously developed contingency plan. They landed 
close to the capsule and per the plan, began to document the 
capsule and the area.

"For the velocity of the impact, I thought there was 
surprisingly little damage, said Roy Haggard of Vertigo Inc., 
Lake Elsinore, Calif., who took part in the initial 
reconnaissance of the capsule. "I observed the capsule 
penetrated the soil about 50 percent of its diameter. The 
shell had been breached about three inches and I could see 
the science canister inside and that also appeared to have a 
small breach," he said.

The safety of recovery personnel has been the top priority. 
The capsule's separation charge had to be confirmed safe 
before the capsule could be moved. The recovery team is in 
the process of preparing to move the capsule to a clean room. 
The Genesis mission was launched in August 2001 on a journey 
to capture samples from the storehouse of 99 percent of all 
the material in our solar system -- the sun. The samples of 
solar wind particles, collected on ultra-pure wafers of gold, 
sapphire, silicon and diamond were designed to be returned 
for analysis by Earth-bound scientists.

JPL manages the Genesis mission for NASA's Science Mission 
Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, 
Denver, developed and operated the spacecraft. JPL is a 
division of the California Institute of Technology.

For more information about Genesis on the Internet, visit 
http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/

-end-

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MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109  TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/

DC Agle  (818) 393-9011
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Donald Savage (202) 358-1547
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. 
     

RELEASE: 2004-220      September 8, 2004

Genesis Mission Status: Canister Transported

The science canister from the Genesis spacecraft has been transported
by helicopter from its impact site at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving
Ground in Utah to a holding area next to a specially constructed clean
room on the Army base.

The foil wrapping will be removed from the canister and dirt will be
brushed off before the canister is moved into the clean room for
analysis of the contents.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., manages the
Genesis mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, developed and operated the
spacecraft. JPL is a division of the California Institute of
Technology.

For information about the Genesis Sample Return Mission on the
Internet, visit http://www.nasa.gov/genesis .  For background
information about Genesis, visit http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/ .

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-----------------------------------------------------------------------


MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109  TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/

DC Agle  (818) 354-5011
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Donald Savage (202) 358-1547
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. 
     

RELEASE: 2004-221       September 8, 2004

Genesis Mission Status: Canister Moved Into Cleanroom

The science canister from the Genesis mission was moved into the
cleanroom at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah early
Wednesday evening.  First, a team of specialists plucked pieces
of dirt and mud that had lodged in the canister after the mission's
sample return capsule landed at high speed in the Utah desert. The
Genesis team will begin examining the contents of the canister on
Thursday morning.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., manages the
Genesis mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, developed and operated the
spacecraft. JPL is a division of the California Institute of
Technology.

For information about the Genesis Sample Return Mission on the
Internet, visit http://www.nasa.gov/genesis .  For background
information about Genesis, visit http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/ .

- end -

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Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington                      Sept. 8, 2004
(Phone: 202/358-1600)

RELEASE: 04-291

NASA ADMINISTRATOR SAYS EXPLORATION IS DIFFICULT BUT 
ESSENTIAL

     The following is a statement from NASA Administrator 
Sean O'Keefe regarding today's Genesis Sample Return Mission 
at the U.S. Air Force Test and Training Range, Dugway Proving 
Ground, southwest of Salt Lake City.

"We're encouraged by the news out of Utah, despite the hard 
impact landing of the Genesis Sample Return capsule. The 
spacecraft was designed in a way to give us the best chance 
at salvaging the valuable science payload should we suffer a 
landing like the one we witnessed today.

"Our re-entry plan was based on safety, and the choice of 
Dugway was intentional. While today's developments may be 
disappointing to some, I know the entire NASA family is 
thankful no one was injured.

"Exploration of the heavens is not an easy task. Our ability 
to travel throughout our solar system is limited, whether by 
human tended or robotic craft. Genesis was an experiment to 
journey far from home and return with new clues and possible 
answers to some of the fundamental questions regarding the 
origin of our universe.

"With each new mission, we push the frontiers of our 
knowledge and technology, and we're hopeful that what appears 
to be a setback, will eventually return some impressive 
results. After all, this isn't an Olympic event where we're 
awarded a medal for a perfect landing. Our final achievement 
will be measured by what we've learned over the entire three-
year mission.

"Our scientists and engineers across NASA and our Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory are the best in the world. We will find 
out what happened to Genesis, and we'll continue our quest to 
accomplish the goals spelled out in our Vision for Space 
Exploration."

For information about the Genesis Sample Return Mission on 
the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/genesis

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