# Stardust

> space probe launched by NASA in 1999

**Wikidata**: [Q205747](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205747)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardust_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stardust-q205747

## Summary

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## Summary
Stardust was a NASA space probe launched in 1999 to collect samples from a comet and return them to Earth. It was the first mission to successfully return extraterrestrial material from beyond the Moon, providing valuable insights into the early solar system.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **February 7, 1999**, from **Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17** aboard a **Delta II rocket**.
- Operated by the **Jet Propulsion Laboratory** and manufactured by **Lockheed Martin**.
- Mass at takeoff: **390.599 kg** (dry weight: **305.397 kg**).
- Conducted flybys of **Earth (2001, 2009)**, asteroid **5535 Annefrank (2002)**, comet **81P/Wild (2004)**, and comet **Tempel 1 (2011)**.
- Part of the **Stardust/NExT (New Exploration of Tempel 1)** extended mission.
- Returned comet and interstellar dust samples to Earth in **2006** via the **Stardust Sample Return Capsule**.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Stardust mission?
A: Stardust was designed to collect dust samples from comet **81P/Wild** and interstellar space, then return them to Earth for analysis. It aimed to study the composition of comets to better understand the early solar system.

### Q: How did Stardust return samples to Earth?
A: The spacecraft released a **Sample Return Capsule** that re-entered Earth's atmosphere and landed in Utah in **January 2006**, carrying the collected comet and interstellar dust particles.

### Q: What were Stardust's major flyby targets?
A: Stardust performed flybys of **Earth (twice)**, asteroid **5535 Annefrank**, comet **81P/Wild**, and later comet **Tempel 1** during its extended mission (NExT).

### Q: Who operated the Stardust mission?
A: The mission was operated by NASA's **Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)** and built by **Lockheed Martin Space**.

### Q: Is Stardust still active?
A: No, the mission concluded after its final flyby of **Tempel 1 in 2011**. The spacecraft was decommissioned shortly after.

## Why It Matters
Stardust was a groundbreaking mission that provided direct evidence about the building blocks of the solar system. By collecting and returning comet and interstellar dust samples, it allowed scientists to analyze pristine materials from the early solar system, offering clues about planetary formation and the origins of life. The mission also demonstrated the feasibility of sample-return technology, paving the way for future missions like **OSIRIS-REx** and **Hayabusa2**. Additionally, its extended mission (NExT) repurposed the spacecraft to study comet Tempel 1, maximizing scientific return from a single probe.

## Notable For
- **First mission to return extraterrestrial material from beyond the Moon** (comet and interstellar dust samples).
- **First spacecraft to visit two comets** (81P/Wild and Tempel 1).
- **Successful use of aerogel** to capture high-speed comet particles without damaging them.
- **Extended mission (NExT)** that repurposed the probe to study comet Tempel 1, previously visited by **Deep Impact**.
- **Low-cost, high-impact science**, proving the value of sample-return missions.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Stardust was a **NASA space probe** launched on **February 7, 1999**, as part of the **Discovery Program**, which focused on low-cost, highly focused planetary science missions. Its primary goal was to collect dust samples from comet **81P/Wild** and interstellar space, then return them to Earth for analysis.

### Spacecraft Specifications
- **Mass**: 390.599 kg (takeoff), 305.397 kg (dry weight).
- **Power**: **330 watts** nominal output from solar panels.
- **Launch Vehicle**: **Delta II rocket** (expendable launch system).
- **Operator**: **Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)**.
- **Manufacturer**: **Lockheed Martin Space**.

### Key Mission Events
- **1999-02-07**: Launch from **Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17**.
- **2001-01-15**: First **Earth flyby** (distance: **6,008 km**).
- **2002-11-02**: Flyby of asteroid **5535 Annefrank** (distance: **3,079 km**).
- **2004-01-02**: Flyby of comet **81P/Wild** (distance: **237 km**), collecting comet dust samples.
- **2006-01-15**: **Sample Return Capsule** landed in Utah, delivering comet and interstellar dust.
- **2009-01-14**: Second **Earth flyby** (distance: **9,157 km**).
- **2011-02-15**: Flyby of comet **Tempel 1** (distance: **181 km**) during the **NExT extended mission**.

### Scientific Instruments
- **Comet and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA)**: Analyzed dust composition in real-time.
- **Navigation Camera**: Captured images of comets and asteroids.
- **Aerogel Collector**: Used to capture high-speed comet particles without damaging them.

### Extended Mission: NExT
After completing its primary mission, Stardust was repurposed for the **New Exploration of Tempel 1 (NExT)** mission. This extended phase allowed the spacecraft to study changes on comet **Tempel 1** since its previous visit by the **Deep Impact** mission in 2005.

### Legacy
Stardust's success demonstrated the viability of **sample-return missions** and provided critical data on comet composition. Its findings contributed to our understanding of the early solar system and the role of comets in delivering water and organic compounds to Earth.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)
4. KBpedia