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STARDUST (25618)
COSPAR: 1999-003A | Alt Name: Stardust
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 7, 1999
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC17A
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7426-9.5
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25618
International Designator
1999-003A
Decay Date
Unknown
Basic Satellite Info
Name
STARDUST
Alternative Name
Stardust
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
JPL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
STARDUST was a space probe launched by JPL on February 7, 1999, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station using a Delta 7426-9.5 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measured 1.7 meters in length with a diameter of 0.6 meters and had a span of 4.8 meters. It was equipped with a collector, sample return capsule (SRC), and Whipple shields. STARDUST had a dry mass of 254 kilograms and a launch mass of 339 kilograms. The probe operated for 12 years, exceeding its planned lifetime of 7 years. Its mission was to collect samples from the coma of comet Wild 2. The spacecraft's power came from two deployable fixed solar arrays along with batteries. STARDUST was manufactured by LMA/DENV and used AOCS 8x4N for motor control. It had a box shape with two panels and was part of JPL's fleet.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.7
Diameter
0.6
Span
4.8
Dry Mass
254
Launch Mass
339
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Stardust
Purpose
Comet coma sample return
Mission
Comet coma sample return
Manufacturer
LMA/DENV
Life Expectancy
7 years (planned), 12 years (achieved)
Bus
Space Probe
Configuration
SpaceProbe Bus
Motor
AOCS 8x4N
Equipment
Collector, Sample Return Capsule (SRC), Whipple-shields
Power System
2 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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