Stardust sample return capsule design experience

The Stardust Mission has as its primary objective the acquisition and retur n of cometary samples, which represents the first sample return from outsid e of the Earth-moon system. The passage from deep space to the surface of t he Earth is accomplished via a sample return capsule (SRC). The design of t he capsule required a cooperative effort between Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, and multiple NASA field centers. The coordinated design proces s that was undertaken to produce the Stardust SRC, in particular the re-ent ry related systems, is described.