# Stardust Sample Return Capsule

> capsule that returned samples collected during the Stardust mission

**Wikidata**: [Q113129922](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113129922)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stardust-sample-return-capsule

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for the **Stardust Sample Return Capsule**:

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## Summary  
The Stardust Sample Return Capsule (SRC) is a reentry capsule that safely returned to Earth with samples of comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust collected during NASA's Stardust mission. It landed in Utah on January 15, 2006, marking the first time extraterrestrial material from beyond the Moon was brought back to Earth. The capsule was part of the larger Stardust spacecraft, launched in 1999.

## Key Facts  
- **Mass:** 45.8 kg  
- **Dimensions:** 0.811 m diameter × 0.499 m height  
- **Operator:** NASA  
- **Launch Date:** February 7, 1999, at 21:04:15 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (D-266)  
- **Landing Date:** January 15, 2006, at 10:10 UTC  
- **Landing Site:** Utah Test and Training Range (40.3683°N, 113.5224°W)  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1999-003D  
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1999-003D  
- **Significant Events:** Rocket launch (1999), atmospheric entry (2006), landing (2006)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What samples did the Stardust Sample Return Capsule bring back?  
A: The capsule returned particles from comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust, providing the first direct samples of a comet and interstellar material collected beyond the Moon.  

### Q: Where did the Stardust capsule land?  
A: It landed at the Utah Test and Training Range on January 15, 2006, marking a controlled reentry and recovery.  

### Q: What was the purpose of the Stardust mission?  
A: The mission aimed to collect and return extraterrestrial samples to study the composition of comets and interstellar dust, offering insights into the early solar system.  

## Why It Matters  
The Stardust Sample Return Capsule was groundbreaking as the first mission to return comet and interstellar dust samples to Earth. These samples provided scientists with pristine material from the early solar system, offering clues about its formation and evolution. The mission's success demonstrated the feasibility of sample return from deep space, paving the way for future missions like OSIRIS-REx. The capsule's safe reentry and recovery also validated critical technologies for atmospheric entry and precision landing, which are essential for future planetary exploration.  

## Notable For  
- **First comet sample return:** Delivered the first-ever particles from comet Wild 2.  
- **Interstellar dust collection:** Captured rare interstellar dust grains, a first for sample return missions.  
- **Precision landing:** Successfully landed at a designated military range in Utah.  
- **NASA milestone:** Part of NASA's Discovery Program, showcasing cost-effective deep-space exploration.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched February 7, 1999, aboard a Delta II rocket.  
- Primary goal: Collect and return samples from comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 45.8 kg  
- **Diameter:** 0.811 m  
- **Height:** 0.499 m  
- **Design:** Reentry capsule with heat shield for atmospheric protection.  

### Key Events  
- **Launch:** February 7, 1999, from Cape Canaveral.  
- **Sample Collection:** Encountered comet Wild 2 in January 2004.  
- **Reentry & Landing:** January 15, 2006, at Utah Test and Training Range.  

### Scientific Impact  
- Samples revealed organic compounds and minerals, reshaping understanding of comet composition.  
- Interstellar dust analysis provided data on the broader galaxy's building blocks.  

### Legacy  
- Inspired later sample-return missions, including OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2.  
- Demonstrated NASA's capability to retrieve extraterrestrial material safely.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1999-003D)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20090004445/downloads/20090004445.pdf)