NASA’s Genesis mission has completed the capture of solar-wind particles in its specially designed collector arrays.
Since October 2001, Genesis has been in a solar orbit with its wafer-shaped arrays open to harvest the Sun’s atoms for research.
Last week, NASA scientists ordered the spacecraft to deactivate and stow the arrays in its sample return capsule.
At the end of April, Genesis will make the first in a series of maneuvers that will point the spacecraft toward Earth.
In September, the sample return capsule will be ejected from the spacecraft and enter Earth’s atmosphere.
During its descent to the ground, the capsule will be slowed by its parachute.
In a Hollywood-type stunt maneuver, trained pilots in helicopters will swoop down and snag the return capsule in mid-air using giant hooks,
protecting the precious cargo from a hard landing.
This is the first sample of space material to return to Earth since December 1972 when the Apollo 17 crew returned from the Moon.