Stardust is Home!
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The Stardust capsule is on the ground, they don’t know quite where yet, but a helicopter is up and searching. The capsule is quite small, about the size of a tire and the area they are searching is large so it may take a little bit.
5:28 am: The helicopter can “hear” the beacon from the probe, it should be a matter of minutes. (Edit: “hear” = has the signal)
Dr Ken Atkins is saying “this is one of those moments in life”, expressing his thoughts in an interview. Dr. Atkins is one of the mission managers. Yep, I bet it is. Watching the FLIR image (infrared) I was struck by what has been accomplished. Imagine, even just the sheer distance the spacecraft has traveled.
5:40 am: Updated reports coming in, the data is being re-evaluated, the beacon is not being “heard”. This could take much longer, but it will be found! At least their weather is better than ours (heavy wind and snow here).
5:44 am: Reportedly the helicopter may have found the landing site. They will be landing to check it out.
As amazing as the mission is, I am amazed I managed to get up in time to see it after staying up to watch the Denver Broncos defeat the New England Patriots last night.
5:49 am: The parachute has been found; they are checking to see if the capsule is underneath.
5:55 am: “The item has been located”. The capsule has been found!
Now a safety check will take place and two more helicopters are being sent out. I haven’t heard any word on the condition of the spacecraft yet, but everything looks as if it went pretty well.
6:08 am: Well that didn’t take long. The helicopter “Oscar” is reporting the capsule is intact.
They were commenting a few minutes ago on NASA TV that it “took” a long time to find it; heck that wasn’t long at all.
6:15 am: There are multiple helicopters at the site and a crew is going to the capsule to check it out.
A once in-a- lifetime event for those people.
6:23 am: An update from the site: The capsule apparently bounced three times and came to rest on its side. They are taking pictures.
—- quick time out for my morning work out —- I’m back hope I can hear the coverage through my huffing and puffing 
6:43 am: The helicopter that will take the capsule to the clean room has arrived and they are about to load it up.
7:00 am: The capsule is about to arrive at the airport for the ride to the clean room. I hope they get a shot of it.
7:04 am: The helicopter has landed at the airbase.
They are saying this was the fastest man made object to ever come through our atmosphere. Just another first.
So, this ends my rather impromptu semi-live account of the re-entry. 
Ian at Astroblog also chronicled the event, take a look. I’m sure others did as well, but haven’t looked yet.
Edit: They are replaying the re-entry on NASA-TV. Click here to watch the webcast.
Duxbury was wearing a flightsuit on NASA TV after re-entry. Nice “Mission Accomplished” refernece.
I am watching!
Me too. My blogging is a bit terser than yours though. Capsule intact is very good. Second helicopter is almost there.
I’m a morning person. Besides I started so decided to keep it going, will need to take a little break to do a work out though.
Didn’t one of the Living Dead movies start this way?
I am watching also.
Rob, It was either that or a comet….Whoops we got both.
It’s back to base, I’m going to bed now.
Time for me to get the *shudder* paper, it’s down right nasty out there. Then breakfast.
xcellent….excellent…excellent……
home sweet home
FAR OUT! This feat is no less that incredible. Kudos to NASA and all involved! Now if my Broncos can go all the way….
Go Broncos (I have a Broncos website forum moderator in the house)!! I watched KCNC (satellite) this morning and they seemed pretty worked up about the whole thing.
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