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Originally designed for a future Mars Penetrator mission, probes such as this have been extensively tested for planetary exploration. Instruments on a comet nucleus penetrator could relay back information on composition of unaltered subsurface comet material, the variation in temperature near the surface, and the strength of the surface. This penetrator was produced in the 1980s for drop tests in planning for a future Mars mission.

Transferred by NASA Ames Research Center

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Test Vehicles

Manufacturer

NASA Ames Research Center

Dimensions

3-D: 119.4 x 8.9cm, 18.1kg (47 x 3 1/2 in., 40lb.)

Materials

aluminin and tungston steel

Inventory Number

A19850393000

Credit Line

Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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