There’s not a lot to add to this video, it’s too awesome.
It was captured by NASA’s converted DC-8 jet that was flying over Australia when the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft broke up during re-entry. I’ll let the video do the rest of the talking:
Oh yes, and that little dot ahead of the falling debris? That’s the sample return capsule before it was found int he Outback safely. Thank goodness its parachute worked (presumably).
For more spacecraft demolition awesomeness, read “NASA Aircraft Videos Hayabusa Re-Entry“
