NASA\'s Stardust mission



NASA’s cargo is returning cometary and interstellar dust particles back to Earth. It is after a 4.63 billion kilometer (2.88 billion mile) round-trip journey, NASA’s Stardust mission is nearing Earth. The cargo will help provide answers to fundamental questions about comets and the origins of the solar system, scientists believe. The capsule is scheduled to return on Jan. 15, 2006.



As it enters Earth’s atmosphere at 46,440 kilometers per hour (28,860 miles per hour), the velocity of the sample return capsule will be the fastest of any human-made object on record. It surpasses the record set in May 1969 during the return of the Apollo 10 command module.



Via: Science Daily