# Genesis

> NASA sample return probe

**Wikidata**: [Q74418](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74418)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/genesis

## Summary
Genesis was a NASA sample return probe designed to collect solar wind particles and return them to Earth. Launched on August 8, 2001, it operated at the Earth-Sun L1 Lagrangian point from December 2001 to April 2004 before concluding its mission in December 2004.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: NASA sample return probe (space probe class); classified as a derelict satellite post-mission.
- **Launch Date**: August 8, 2001, at 16:13:40 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II (D287).
- **Operator**: Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin Space.
- **Mass**: 636 kg (launch weight); 494 kg (dry weight).
- **Power**: 2 solar arrays; 2 batteries.
- **Mission Location**: Halo orbit at L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point (Dec 3, 2001 – Apr 1, 2004).
- **Components**: Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule.
- **Mission Retirement**: December 2, 2004.
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 2001-034A; NAIF ID -47; NSSDCA ID 2001-034A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Genesis spacecraft?
A: Genesis was a NASA sample return probe designed to collect solar wind particles and return them to Earth for analysis.

### Q: Where did the Genesis spacecraft operate during its mission?
A: Genesis operated in a halo orbit around the L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point, a stable gravitational point between the Earth and the Sun, from December 3, 2001, to April 1, 2004.

### Q: When was Genesis launched and when did the mission end?
A: Genesis launched on August 8, 2001, and the mission officially concluded with spacecraft retirement on December 2, 2004.

## Why It Matters
Genesis represents a significant undertaking in heliophysics and planetary science. As the first NASA mission dedicated to returning samples from beyond the Earth-Moon system, it aimed to provide scientists with pristine solar wind material. These samples were intended to offer critical insights into the elemental and isotopic composition of the solar nebula, effectively providing a snapshot of the original material from which the solar system formed. The mission involved complex orbital mechanics, positioning the spacecraft at the L1 Lagrangian point to collect data uninterrupted by Earth's magnetosphere, demonstrating advanced capabilities in deep-space navigation and sample return logistics.

## Notable For
- **First Sample Return of its Kind**: It was NASA's first mission focused on returning samples from the solar wind.
- **L1 Lagrangian Point Operation**: It maintained a halo orbit at the L1 Earth-Sun point for over two years to collect samples.
- **Lockheed Martin Manufacture**: The spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin Space.
- **Jet Propulsion Laboratory Management**: The mission was operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
- **Specific Sample Return Design**: Featured a dedicated Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule for securing and transporting solar wind particles.

## Body

### Mission Profile
The Genesis mission began with the launch of the spacecraft on August 8, 2001, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A aboard a Delta II rocket (D287). Managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space, the probe had a launch mass of 636 kg and a dry mass of 494 kg.

### Operational Phase
Upon reaching space, Genesis traveled to the L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point. It entered a halo orbit at this location on December 3, 2001. For over two years, the spacecraft deployed its collection arrays to capture solar wind particles. This operational phase lasted until April 1, 2004, after which the spacecraft began its return trajectory.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was equipped with two solar arrays and two batteries to power its systems. A key component was the Genesis Sample Collection and Return Capsule, designed to store the collected samples. The mission formally ended with the spacecraft's retirement on December 2, 2004.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Genesis",
  "description": "NASA sample return probe designed to collect solar wind particles.",
  "url": "https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/genesismission/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26884",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_(spacecraft)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "SpaceProbe"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/genesis#spacecraft)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/genesismission/gm2/science/work.htm)
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2001-034A)
6. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html#Spacecraft)