Genesis update

8 Sep 2004

      I just (1640 MDT) recieved this from NASA.

Patrick

Donald Savage
Headquarters, Washington      Sept. 8, 2004
(Phone: 435/831-3957)

DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
(Phone: 818/393-9011)

RELEASE: 04-292

GENESIS MISSION STATUS REPORT

     The Genesis sample return capsule entered Earth's 
atmosphere at 9:52:47 MDT and entered the preplanned entry 
ellipse in the Utah Test and Training Range as predicted. 
However, the Genesis capsule, as a result of its parachute 
not deploying, impacted the ground at a speed of 311 
kilometers per hour (193 mph). The impact occurred near 
Granite Peak on a remote portion of the range. No people or 
structures were anywhere near the area.

"We have the capsule," said Genesis project manager Don 
Sweetnam of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, 
Calif. "It is on the ground. We have previously written 
procedures and tools at our disposal for such an event. We 
are beginning capsule recovery operations at this time."

By the time the capsule entered Earth's atmosphere, the 
flight crews tasked to capture Genesis were already in the 
air. Once it was confirmed the capsule touched down out on 
the range, the flight crews were guided toward the site to 
initiate a previously developed contingency plan. They landed 
close to the capsule and per the plan, began to document the 
capsule and the area.

"For the velocity of the impact, I thought there was 
surprisingly little damage, said Roy Haggard of Vertigo Inc., 
Lake Elsinore, Calif., who took part in the initial 
reconnaissance of the capsule. "I observed the capsule 
penetrated the soil about 50 percent of its diameter. The 
shell had been breached about three inches and I could see 
the science canister inside and that also appeared to have a 
small breach," he said.

The safety of recovery personnel has been the top priority. 
The capsule's separation charge had to be confirmed safe 
before the capsule could be moved. The recovery team is in 
the process of preparing to move the capsule to a clean room. 
The Genesis mission was launched in August 2001 on a journey 
to capture samples from the storehouse of 99 percent of all 
the material in our solar system -- the sun. The samples of 
solar wind particles, collected on ultra-pure wafers of gold, 
sapphire, silicon and diamond were designed to be returned 
for analysis by Earth-bound scientists.

JPL manages the Genesis mission for NASA's Science Mission 
Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, 
Denver, developed and operated the spacecraft. JPL is a 
division of the California Institute of Technology.

For more information about Genesis on the Internet, visit 
http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/

-end-

Patrick Wiggins

Joe Bauman

Joe Bauman

Chuck Hards

diveboss＠xmission.com

Joe Bauman

Barney B.

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