Scientists are optimistic that Genesis solar samples that arrived at the Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday will provide important information on the history and origin of the solar system.

Genesis team members from JSC and JPL unload containers of solar wind samples headed for the JSC Astromaterials Curation Facility.

Following an extensive recovery effort since its Sept. 8 impact at a Utah landing site, the first scientific samples from the Genesis space probe arrived at NASA's Johnson Space Center late on Monday, Oct. 4. Over the coming days, the samples, numbered and packaged in separate carrying cases, will be moved to the Genesis clean room where they will be preserved and protected. The quantity of material recovered from Genesis will be determined by further study at JSC. Samples will be distributed to scientists to study over the coming months and years, beginning with members of the Genesis Science Team.

Click here for photos of the arrival at Ellington Field.