NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Sounds of a Comet Encounter

During its Feb. 14, 2011, flyby of comet Tempel 1, an instrument on the protective shield on NASA's Stardust spacecraft was pelted by dust particles and small rocks.

Stardust Swoops by Tempel 1

This movie shows what it was like for NASA's Stardust spacecraft to fly by comet Tempel 1.

Date with a Comet - Valentine's Day 2011

Stardust-Next: NASA's Most-Traveled Comet Hunter

Movie: Stardust Capsule Reentry

Why Send the Science Home?

The Stardust mission already has a couple of major successes under its belt. (Quicktime - streaming)

Stardust: How Do We Bring a Comet Home?

Stardust's return capsule will enter Earth's atmosphere, release parachutes and land in the Utah desert. (Quicktime - streaming)

Stardust: Why Bring a Comet Home?

Stardust captured cometary samples, which hold clues about the formation of our solar system. (Quicktime - streaming)

Rehearsal: Infrared Views of Landing and Retrieval

This video shows images taken through infrared range cameras during a recovery simulation at the Utah Test and Training Range on Dec 13, 2005. Infrared cameras will track the landing. (Quicktime - 313 Kb)

Rehearsal: Sample Canister in Cleanroom

This movie shows rehearsal of the initial processing of the sample return capsule when it is taken to a temporary cleanroom at Utah's Test and Training Range. (Quicktime - 269 Kb)

Entry, Descent, Landing Animation

This animation illustrates the path the Stardust return capsule will follow once it enters Earth's atmosphere. (Quicktime - 3.6Mb)

Spacecraft Trajectory

This animation illustrates the orbit path of NASA's Stardust spacecraft. (Quicktime - 3.7Mb)

Spacecraft - Capsule Separation

This animation shows the return capsule separating from the Stardust spacecraft. (Quicktime - 2.9Mb)

Mission Animation

Journey along with Stardust as it collects comet samples and returns them to Earth. (QuickTime download with caption - 96Mb)