Looks like its going to be a while, but there is more then enough still intact to be usefull. Some components were quoted to be in "very good
condition". Yay!
Did you noticed that the land thrown by Genesis looked darker than the surrounding land, just as that on Mars where the probe landed? (I do not
remember what probe was)
Yeah, it's a good thing they were able to get something out of it. Anyone know how much money would have been "wasted" if everything was destroyed?
Keep us all updated on any interesting finds.
Genesis team specialists are beginning the process of conducting inventory of the contents of the craft's science canister. The team is handling
the canister and the sample return capsule in a methodical manner. The canister is inside a clean room at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground,
Utah.
Based on initial inspection, it is possible a repository of solar wind materials may have survived that will keep the science community busy for some
time.
"The outstanding design and sturdy construction of Genesis may yield the important scientific results we hoped for from the mission," he said.
The mission's main priority is to measure oxygen isotopes to determine which of several theories is correct regarding the role of oxygen in the
formation of the solar system. Scientists hope to determine this with isotopes collected in the four target segments of the solar wind concentrator
carried by the Genesis spacecraft.