Genesis (spacecraft)

The Genesis spacecraft was the first ever attempt to collect a sample of solar wind, and the first sample return mission to return from beyond the orbit of the Moon. It was launched on August 8, 2001, and crash-landed on September 8, 2004 after a design flaw prevented the deployment of its drogue parachute. As of September 10 2004, analysis of the damaged capsule is in progress, and there is a possibility of retrieving partial science data from the mission.

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  Genesis spacecraft in collection mode. Artist's conception.
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  Genesis in collection configuration
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  Genesis launch preparations
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  Genesis solar wind collector array before installation and launch.
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  A practice run of the failed Genesis retrieval mission, in which a helicopter was planned to intercept the sample capsule to avoid a hard landing.
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  The Genesis return capsule in the desert floor.
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  Genesis mission member sorts through debris from the solar wind collector array.