Genesis probe: Difference between revisions
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The NASA '''Genesis probe''' was a spacecraft sent out as part of the Genesis mission to collect samples of [[solar wind]]. The intention of the mission was to help establish the composition and the formation process of the Solar System. | The NASA '''Genesis probe''' was a spacecraft sent out as part of the Genesis mission to collect samples of [[solar wind]]. The intention of the mission was to help establish the composition and the formation process of the Solar System by collecting samples of solar wind. | ||
The craft was launched on August 8, 2001, and sent to orbit between the earth and the Sun where the gravity of both bodies was balanced. During its flight the craft collected solar wind samples during specific time periods when the solar winds had different speeds, thus being able to collate data on different solar processes and activities. It supported previous data obtained from the [[Moon]] during the [[Project Apollo|Apollo moon exploration missions]]. However, Genesis crashed upon re-entry on September 4, 2004, landing in the [[Utah]] desert, when its drogue parachute and parafoil did not deploy. | The craft was launched on August 8, 2001, and sent to orbit at Lagrangian point L1, a region between the earth and the Sun where the gravity of both bodies was balanced<ref>http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wlagran.html Further detail about Lagrangian points</ref>. During its flight the craft collected solar wind samples during specific time periods when the solar winds had different speeds, thus being able to collate data on different solar processes and activities. It supported previous data obtained from the [[Moon]] during the [[Project Apollo|Apollo moon exploration missions]]. However, Genesis crashed upon re-entry on September 4, 2004, landing in the [[Utah]] desert, when its drogue parachute and parafoil did not deploy. Investigations into the deployment failure found that the mishap was due to an inverted sensor that had not been detected during the design and verification stages of construction <ref>http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/149414main_Genesis_MIB.pdf Genesis Landing Mission Failure Report and Recommendations (pdf file)</ref>. | ||
Recovered foils from the craft were able to help determine the isotopic composition of the Sun <ref>http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/318/5849/433 A. Meshik et al. ''Science '' 318, 433–435; 2007 Accessed 15 March, 2008</ref>. On 10 March 2008, at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, Texas, it was confirmed that despite the crash landing, crucial data were able to be salvaged from the craft and the major scientific objectives of the mission would be met.<ref>http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080313/full/452259a.html, accessed 15 March 2008</ref> | Recovered foils from the craft were able to help determine the isotopic composition of the Sun <ref>http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/318/5849/433 A. Meshik et al. ''Science '' 318, 433–435; 2007 Accessed 15 March, 2008</ref>. On 10 March 2008, at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, Texas, it was confirmed that despite the crash landing, crucial data were able to be salvaged from the craft and the major scientific objectives of the mission would be met.<ref>http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080313/full/452259a.html, accessed 15 March 2008</ref> | ||
Revision as of 23:11, 14 March 2008
The NASA Genesis probe was a spacecraft sent out as part of the Genesis mission to collect samples of solar wind. The intention of the mission was to help establish the composition and the formation process of the Solar System by collecting samples of solar wind.
The craft was launched on August 8, 2001, and sent to orbit at Lagrangian point L1, a region between the earth and the Sun where the gravity of both bodies was balanced[1]. During its flight the craft collected solar wind samples during specific time periods when the solar winds had different speeds, thus being able to collate data on different solar processes and activities. It supported previous data obtained from the Moon during the Apollo moon exploration missions. However, Genesis crashed upon re-entry on September 4, 2004, landing in the Utah desert, when its drogue parachute and parafoil did not deploy. Investigations into the deployment failure found that the mishap was due to an inverted sensor that had not been detected during the design and verification stages of construction [2].
Recovered foils from the craft were able to help determine the isotopic composition of the Sun [3]. On 10 March 2008, at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, Texas, it was confirmed that despite the crash landing, crucial data were able to be salvaged from the craft and the major scientific objectives of the mission would be met.[4]
- ↑ http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wlagran.html Further detail about Lagrangian points
- ↑ http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/149414main_Genesis_MIB.pdf Genesis Landing Mission Failure Report and Recommendations (pdf file)
- ↑ http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/318/5849/433 A. Meshik et al. Science 318, 433–435; 2007 Accessed 15 March, 2008
- ↑ http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080313/full/452259a.html, accessed 15 March 2008
Genesis Mission - NASA Information
Genesis Probe Info (prepared prior to the Sep 8, 2004 crash)