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

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Sep 13 17:56:09 2004
Message-ID: <200409132156.OAA10323_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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.




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

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-

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


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/ .

- end -

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


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 -

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


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

-end-
Received on Mon 13 Sep 2004 05:56:06 PM PDT