BBC News | In pictures | Stardust's comet mission

Sample return

After passing Comet Wild-2, Stardust has taken a further two years to return to Earth.

The Stardust spacecraft released its 45kg (101lb) capsule at 0557 GMT on 15 January as it returned from interplanetary space.

Nasa mission controllers clapped and cheered as the capsule began its plunge to Earth.


�In pictures:�Stardust's comet mission

	Sample return After passing Comet Wild-2, Stardust has taken a further two years to return to Earth. The Stardust spacecraft released its 45kg (101lb) capsule at 0557 GMT on 15 January as it returned from interplanetary space. Nasa mission controllers clapped and cheered as the capsule began its plunge to Earth.