Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

A historical “uh-oh” space exploration moment in 2004 as the Genesis return capsule suddenly met Utah desert at nearly 200 miles per hour. Image credit: NASA

In the beginning…there was a thud. It was an unwanted sound and one that resonated around the world.

Think back over 20 years ago to September 8, 2004. That’s when NASA’s Genesis return sample capsule slammed into an isolated part of the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. It was an unintended, full-stop, smashing occasion.

Image credit: NASA

But now, over two decades later, call it “late breaking” news.

For more information, go to my new Space.com story – “20 years after crashing in the Utah desert, NASA’s Genesis mission is still teaching us about solar wind” – at:

https://www.space.com/the-universe/20-years-after-crashing-in-the-utah-desert-nasas-genesis-mission-is-still-teaching-us-about-solar-wind

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Image credit: NASA