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

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 10:14:38 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201011041714.oA4HEcTF002664_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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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Received on Thu 04 Nov 2010 01:14:38 PM PDT