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It wasn't a manned trip to Mars, but the return to Earth in the Utah desert last week of a space probe named "Stardust" provided a fascinating bit a space exploration history.
That Utah played a small, but significant role in the project, as the landing zone for the capsule after its seven-year journey, should be a source of pride for all residents of the Beehive State.
Only a few dozen diehards gave up a night's sleep and braved cold temperatures to watch the re-entry show, perhaps suggesting that we've become accustomed to dramatic ventures into space. Yet, it remains a wondrous thing, that a 100-pound capsule could be successfully thrust into space on a trajectory that brought it into contact with a comet that's been hurdling through the solar system for billions of years. To think that the probe collected dust, indeed a little stardust from the comet's tail, and returned with samples for exhaustive scientific study, offers all earthlings something to marvel.
It is why KSL can appreciate the enthusiasm of local stargazer Patrick Wiggins:
"We were seeing history. I mean, if you think about it, this has never happened before."
Space history and a little stardust! Let's hope we never get to the point of taking such magnificent achievements for granted.
