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Lost In Space? Not Anymore!

A trusty spacecraft about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle kept its eye on the sun for more than two years. Starting in April 1996, SOHO (the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) sent amazing pictures and data back to Earth. SOHO found disturbances that were similar to earthquakes and tornadoes on the sun's surface. It discovered a magnetic "carpet" covering the sun. And it helped astronomers spot solar storms, which can disrupt power on Earth and endanger satellites and astronauts in space.

But in June, hardworking little SOHO suddenly fell silent. Researchers had no idea where their mission had gone. "It was devastating," says John Credland, science project chief at the European Space Agency (ESA).

The good news: scientists at ESA and NASA have located the craft. They sent a powerful radar signal from a giant radiotelescope to zero in on SOHO and got a weak message back. This week they hope to get the craft back under their control.

Now scientists are trying to stop SOHO from spinning wildly in space. When it is stable again, its solar panels can turn to the sun to collect energy. Then scientists will try to restart SOHO's instruments. "So far, we've found no damage," says Credland. "It's incredible."

Next: Champions of the World!