What we've been missing is a starting point. These samples allow precise measurements of the abundance of elements and isotopes in the sun.

The chemical and isotopic composition of the sun is the starting composition from which all planets formed.

In principle, we might be able to do everything we started out to do.

There are three kinds of solar wind. The spacecraft was able to move the collection panels in and out to get data from different types. We've already analyzed noble gases [helium, neon and argon], as they are not too sensitive to this type of contamination. We want to measure the ratios of isotopes of elements from the Sun's surface, and we now have direct data. We're getting interesting and important results even at this early stage.

We expected to have 250 samples. Now, we have 15,000 pieces to work with.

The really fun part of it is discovering actual answers about what solar composition is.