Once the sample canister was moved into the Stardust cleanroom (a class 100 cleanroom), it was removed from its protective wrappings and opened. Everyone was pleased to see that all of the original aerogel tiles were still present!

The aerogel sample trays were then carefully removed from the canister and mounted upright for photographic documentation. The missionŐs Principal Investigator, Donald Brownlee, flashes the 'V for Victory' sign when we realize that we can see cometary dust impacts in the aerogel. We have a sample to study! (Scott is tucked away in the back, mostly out of sight, in this picture.)

Of course it is hard to tell who is who in the cleanroom since we all have to wear full cleanroom suits. Here are Mike Zolensky and Karen McNamara all suited up and working in the cleanroom (both also on the Recovery Team in Utah),

as well as an image of Scott putting away the sample tray at the end of a workday.

Here's what we look like without hoods. (Note - the cleanroom picture below was taken during a rehearsal prior to the return of the actual sample. The tray in the image is a practice tray we used to test out our sample removal procedures. Once the cleanroom was fully cleaned up and ready for the real thing, nobody was allowed to enter without full cleanroom garb.)

(Further note! This image was taken before Scott had to shave his beard of 20+ years for the SRC Recovery so he could wear a respirator if necessary. Can you find him?)