# Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule

> capsule that returned samples collected during the Genesis mission

**Wikidata**: [Q112959004](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112959004)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/genesis-sample-collection-and-return-capsule

## Summary
The Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule was a reentry capsule designed to return solar wind samples collected by NASA's Genesis mission. Launched in 2001, it successfully landed at Dugway Proving Ground in 2004 after a mission to study the composition of the solar wind.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Reentry capsule, designed to survive atmospheric reentry intact.
- **Mass**: 205.6 kilograms, including collected solar wind samples.
- **Dimensions**: 0.964 meters in height and 1.52 meters in diameter.
- **Part of**: The Genesis mission, a NASA sample return probe.
- **Launch date**: August 8, 2001, at 16:13:40 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Landing date**: September 8, 2004, at 15:58:52 UTC at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah.
- **Launch vehicle**: Delta II rocket (model D287).
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin Space.
- **Operators**: Lockheed Martin Space and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
- **Country of origin**: United States.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2001-034D.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2001-034D.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule?
A: The capsule was designed to collect and return solar wind samples to Earth as part of NASA's Genesis mission, which aimed to analyze the composition of the solar wind.

### Q: Where did the capsule land after its mission?
A: The capsule landed at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah on September 8, 2004, after a successful reentry.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle used for the Genesis mission?
A: The mission was launched using a Delta II rocket (model D287) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A on August 8, 2001.

### Q: Who manufactured the Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule?
A: The capsule was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space, with operational support from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

### Q: What are the dimensions of the capsule?
A: The capsule has a height of 0.964 meters and a diameter of 1.52 meters, with a mass of 205.6 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
The Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule played a crucial role in NASA's efforts to study the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun. The mission aimed to provide insights into the chemical composition of the Sun and its evolution. Despite a parachute failure during reentry, which damaged the sample collectors, the mission still yielded valuable scientific data. The capsule's successful landing at Dugway Proving Ground marked the end of a mission that contributed significantly to our understanding of solar processes. The mission also demonstrated the challenges and complexities of sample return missions, influencing future space exploration efforts.

## Notable For
- **First successful solar wind sample collection**: The Genesis mission was the first to successfully collect and return solar wind samples to Earth.
- **Technological innovation**: The mission featured advanced sample collection techniques, including ultra-pure materials to minimize contamination.
- **Scientific impact**: Despite a parachute failure, the mission provided critical data on the solar wind's isotopic composition, advancing solar physics research.
- **Engineering achievement**: The capsule's design and reentry system were notable for their ability to withstand the extreme conditions of atmospheric reentry.
- **Collaborative effort**: The mission involved contributions from multiple NASA centers and international partners, showcasing a coordinated space exploration approach.

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule was a critical component of NASA's Genesis mission, launched on August 8, 2001, aboard a Delta II rocket. The mission's primary objective was to collect solar wind particles and return them to Earth for analysis. The capsule was equipped with advanced collectors made of ultra-pure materials to minimize contamination from Earth's environment.

### Design and Specifications
The capsule had a mass of 205.6 kilograms and measured 0.964 meters in height and 1.52 meters in diameter. Its design included a heat shield and parachute system to ensure a safe reentry and landing. The capsule was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space, with operational support from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

### Mission Events
The capsule was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A and spent approximately 27 months in space, collecting solar wind samples. On September 8, 2004, the capsule reentered Earth's atmosphere and landed at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. Despite a parachute failure, which damaged the sample collectors, the mission still provided valuable scientific data.

### Scientific Contributions
The Genesis mission contributed significantly to solar physics by analyzing the isotopic composition of the solar wind. The data helped scientists understand the processes occurring within the Sun and its evolution. The mission also demonstrated the challenges and complexities of sample return missions, influencing future space exploration efforts.

### Legacy
The Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule remains a notable achievement in space exploration, showcasing NASA's ability to conduct complex missions and contribute to scientific discovery. The mission's data continues to be studied, providing insights into the Sun's composition and behavior.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/genesis-mission-status-report-2)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20080019649/downloads/20080019649.pdf)
4. [Source](https://reentry.arc.nasa.gov/ReVelle.pdf)
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2001-034D)
6. [Source](https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/genesis/reentry.cfm)
7. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20080020376/downloads/20080020376.pdf)