[meteorite-list] NASA Administrator Statement On The Successful EPOXI Flyby of Comet Hartley 2

[Ron Baalke]

Nov. 4, 2010

David Weaver 
Headquarters, Washington 
202-358-1600 
david.s.weaver at nasa.gov 

RELEASE: 10-293

NASA ADMINISTRATOR STATEMENT ON THE SUCCESSFUL EPOXI FLYBY OF COMET HARTLEY 2

WASHINGTON -- The following is a statement from NASA Administrator 
Charles Bolden on the EPOXI mission's successful flyby of comet 
Hartley 2: 

"NASA extended its pioneering exploration of the solar system today 
with the successful flyby of comet Hartley 2 by our EPOXI mission. 
The stunning new images returned of the comet as it zoomed past the 
spacecraft at a relative speed of more than 27,000 mph are awe 
inspiring. The images taken and other science collected should help 
reveal new insights into the origins of our solar system as 
scientists pore over them in the months and years to come. And they 
are also yet another example of the incredible dedication, skill, and 
innovation of the engineers and scientists at NASA, and our partners, 
who accomplish these incredible technological feats. 

"This mission represents one of NASA's most successful deep space 
exploration projects. The encounter with Hartley 2 today adds to the 
data collected by the mission during Deep Impact's prime mission to 
comet Tempel 1 in 2005 and the science acquired during the successful 
EPOCh mission. 

"EPOXI is a wonderful example of the strong collection of NASA science 
missions we have coming up in the next few years that will enable us 
to visit destinations across the solar system in new and exciting 
ways, look through new windows out across our vast cosmos, and expand 
our understanding of our own home planet. Our increased investment in 
science will continue to yield valuable dividends for the future. 

"On behalf of the entire NASA family and interested stargazers around 
the world, my congratulations to the EPOXI team for a great moment of 
scientific exploration and discovery." 

For more information about EPOXI, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/epoxi 

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov 
	
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