Stardust Sample Return Capsule Design Experience

The Stardust Mission has as its primary objective the acquisition and return of cometary samples, which represents the e rst sample return from outside of the Earth ‐moon system. The passage from deep space to the surface of the Earth is accomplished via a sample return capsule (SRC). The design of the capsule required a cooperative effort between Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, and multiple NASA e eld centers. The coordinated design process that was undertaken to produce the Stardust SRC, in particular there-entry-related systems, is described.