Space Probe Fails to Deploy Chute, Slams into Earth

Space Probe Fails to Deploy Chute, Slams into Earth
http://space.com/news/genesis_captured_040908.html

This is saddening. A lot of hard work and money went into this project that lasted several years in hopes to return particles from the sun that can’t be captured near earth. I find it amazing that a space ship can travel millions of miles away and then return to earth in an exact spot determined even before it left. Hopefully it isn’t a complete loss and some of the particles can be recovered, but there will always be doubt in weather what is found is really from far beyond Earth or if it is just contamination from the crash. Other reports mentioned that a battery problem was detected during the launch three years ago and they are focusing in on that as a potential reason that the parachute didn’t deploy.

I love space travel, even if it doesn’t include people. Exploring the solar system and beyond is the coolest thing ever. I agree with President George W. Bush on the new direction for the space program, the shuttle can barely get into orbit but putting people on the moon, or to mars and beyond, that is exploration at its pinnacle, and something that the space program should have been doing for a long time. If we make it to mars in my lifetime, that will be a surprise, but during the next fifty years or so, we should be continually developing technology to make it happen. Sending larger craft, developing methods of rescue, and developing the type of life support technology to make it all work.

Ok, back to work, yeah, working late from home tonight.