The Hindu : International : Genesis probe headed for Earth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 09, 2004

International

International

Genesis probe headed for Earth

UTAH, SEPT. 8. A space capsule holding atoms collected from solar wind was en route to a tricky rendezvous with Earth, offering scientists the first material NASA has brought back from space in nearly three decades.

A pair of helicopters helmed by stunt pilots were set to hover nearly a km above the Utah desert, ready to help snatch the refrigerator-sized capsule's parachute with a hook as it floats down at 400 feet a minute.

"All systems are go," said Don Sevilla, Genesis payload recovery leader, on Tuesday when the capsule was 216,000 km above the Earth's surface. If all goes as planned, the mid-air capture was to take place on Wednesday.

A `billion billion' atoms

The capsule's charged atoms — a "billion billion" of them — should reveal clues about the origin and evolution of our solar system, said Don Burnett, Genesis principal investigator and a nuclear geochemist at California Institute of Technology. "We have for years wanted to know the composition of the sun," Mr. Burnett said. "In some cases we will be analysing it one atom at a time."

Genesis has been moving in tandem with the Earth outside its magnetic shield on three orbits of the sun. It was to pick up speed rapidly as the Earth's gravitational pull brings it closer before the atmosphere abruptly slows the descent.

Practice runs

That's when the helicopters take over. Both Cliff Fleming, the lead helicopter pilot, and backup pilot Dan Rudert have replicated the retrieval in dozens of practice runs, and will have five chances to snag the capsule. If they fail, it will hit the ground and shatter the fragile disks holding the atoms. Once captured, the capsule will be tethered to a cable to cushion the impact.

Mr. Fleming and Mr. Rudert, stunt pilots by trade, were drafted for the $260-millionmission because of their expertise flying high and capturing objects. Mr. Fleming has swooped after sky surfers in the action movie "XXX" and towed actor Pierce Brosnan through the air in "Dante's Peak." He just worked on ``Batman 4.''

Mr. Fleming said the job was tricky since he would not have any visual reference to judge the speed or distance of the 181kg capsule as he closes in from behind it.

Among the risks are a sudden updraft that could entangle the capsule's parachute in his tail rotor. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Russia will hit terror bases `worldwide'

`Iraqi civilian toll could cross 11,000'

Is war on terror being lost?

U.S. deaths in Iraq cross 1000-mark

Poll gives Kerry narrow lead

U.K. soldier charged with Iraqi murder

Maldives expresses `desire' to lift emergency

Genesis probe headed for Earth

Poll gives Kerry narrow lead

Bangladesh Minister refutes allegations

Ties with India will progress steadily, says Talbott

It will take time to resolve Kashmir issue, says Powell

Relief in Pakistan over outcome