Genesis Augers In

Elspode · 09-08-2004, 03:21 PM

Another embarassment for NASA today as the eagerly anticipated solar wind particle return mission, Genesis, failed to deploy its parachutes and smashed into Utah's Dugway Testing Range at nearly 200 mph.

The impact buried the sample return capsule to nearly half its width in the hardpack, well within the safety zone established for just such a contingency. The capsule was remarkably intact, all things considered, but it was fractured open, and the fragile solar particle collectors are likely both smashed and contaminated inside the craft.

Good thing this wasn't a manned mission, huh? The cost of this mission? $260 million dollars...but I'm not being critical. It is amazing they can do this stuff at all, and it is risky. I mean, the thing may have impacted the desert, but it impacted the desert right where they said it would.

I watched it live on NASA TV online this morning. Not pretty, but it was cool that I could watch it.

Undertoad · 09-08-2004, 04:17 PM

Phil Collins unavailable for comment.

glatt · 09-08-2004, 04:18 PM

ouch

Skunks · 09-08-2004, 08:02 PM

<a href="http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=h_genesis_firstresponders_02.jpg&cap=High%20tech%20pizza%20delivery%20a%20failure,%20says%20NASA.">A different angle</a>, courtesy of space.com.

Though, I imagine there's a good collection of images elsewhere, rather than twenty sites with single frames; I've not really looked.

Elspode · 09-08-2004, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Phil Collins unavailable for comment.

A reunion tour featuring the "Selling England by the Pound" band lineup would have fixed this problem for sure.

09-08-2004, 03:21 PM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Genesis Augers In Another embarassment for NASA today as the eagerly anticipated solar wind particle return mission, Genesis, failed to deploy its parachutes and smashed into Utah's Dugway Testing Range at nearly 200 mph. The impact buried the sample return capsule to nearly half its width in the hardpack, well within the safety zone established for just such a contingency. The capsule was remarkably intact, all things considered, but it was fractured open, and the fragile solar particle collectors are likely both smashed and contaminated inside the craft. Good thing this wasn't a manned mission, huh? The cost of this mission? $260 million dollars...but I'm not being critical. It is amazing they can do this stuff at all, and it is risky. I mean, the thing may have impacted the desert, but it impacted the desert right where they said it would. I watched it live on NASA TV online this morning. Not pretty, but it was cool that I could watch it. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

09-08-2004, 04:17 PM	#2
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Phil Collins unavailable for comment.

09-08-2004, 04:18 PM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	ouch

09-08-2004, 08:02 PM	#4
Skunks I thought I changed this. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: western nowhere, ny Posts: 412	<a href="http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=h_genesis_firstresponders_02.jpg&cap=High%20tech%20pizza%20delivery%20a%20failure,%20says%20NASA.">A different angle</a>, courtesy of space.com. Though, I imagine there's a good collection of images elsewhere, rather than twenty sites with single frames; I've not really looked.

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