⏰ when
When was the first comet sample return mission completed?
Quick Answer
Stardust returned samples from comet Wild 2 to Earth on 15 January 2006.
The Full Story
NASA’s Stardust mission completed the first comet sample return when its capsule landed in Utah on 15 January 2006. The spacecraft had collected particles from comet 81P/Wild 2 during a flyby in 2004. Scientists used the samples to study primitive material from the early solar system. This was a major achievement because it brought comet dust back to Earth for direct laboratory analysis.
Key Facts
1.Sample return date: 15 January 2006
2.Mission: Stardust
3.Target comet: Wild 2
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"For the first time, comet dust came back to Earth in 2006—and scientists could touch it."
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