Stardust

1999Aerogel collectorSample return

LocationSpace (returned)

Year1999

SizeAerogel collector

TypeSample return

About Stardust

Collected dust from comet Wild 2 in 2004 using a lightweight aerogel. Returned the samples to Earth in a capsule that landed in Utah in January 2006. The first mission to return comet material. Found that the comet held material formed close to the Sun. Later visited comet Tempel 1.

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