
The first stage of a Boeing Delta II rocket is in position on the mobile tower (at right) at Launch Complex 17. At left is the launch tower. The rocket will carry the Stardust spacecraft into space for a close encounter with the comet Wild 2 in January 2004. Using a medium called aerogel, it will capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of the comet, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in a Sample Return Capsule to be jettisoned as Stardust swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched on Feb. 6, 1999
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NASA ID
KSC-99pc12
Date Created
January 5, 1999
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL
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Medium
960px