Visit the USGS Home Page Go to the Astrogeology Research Program Home Page USGS Astrogeology Research Program

Deep Impact Success

The image depicts the first moments after Deep Impact's probe interfaced with comet Tempel 1. More...

This image was taken by Deep Impact's high-resolution camera. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UMD
After 172 days and 431 million kilometers (268 million miles) of deep space stalking, Deep Impact successfully reached out and touched comet Tempel 1. The collision between the coffee table-sized impactor and city-sized comet occurred at 1:52 a.m. EDT.

"What a way to kick off America's Independence Day," said Deep Impact Project Manager Rick Grammier of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "The challenges of this mission and teamwork that went into making it a success, should make all of us very proud."

"This mission is truly a smashing success," said Andy Dantzler, director of NASA's Solar System Division. "Tomorrow and in the days ahead we will know a lot more about the origins of our solar system."

More: NASA/JPL - Deep Impact Kicks Off Fourth of July with Deep Space Fireworks

Link: NASA/JPL - Deep Impact Mission Web Site


Entry posted by BlogAdmin on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at 09:00. Filed under Other Missions. The author does not allow comments to this entry.