A Seven-Year Journey Culminates
In a thrilling culmination of a seven-year mission, NASA’s Osiris-Rex spacecraft successfully delivered its precious cargo of asteroid samples to Earth.
The small sample capsule, containing material from the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu, made a dramatic landing in the Utah desert.
Release from Deep Space
Osiris-Rex, after a flyby of Earth, released the sample capsule from a distance of 63,000 miles (100,000 kilometers).
The capsule touched down on a remote area of military land, while the mothership continued its journey to explore another asteroid.
Mystery of the Capsule’s Contents
While scientists estimate that the capsule holds at least a cup of rubble from Bennu, the true contents remain a mystery until the container is opened.
During the collection process three years ago, some material spilled and floated away due to an unexpected issue with the container’s lid.
Historic Asteroid Sample Haul
These samples represent a significant achievement in space exploration, as they constitute the largest haul from beyond the moon.
Preserved remnants dating back 4.5 billion years to the early solar system, they promise to provide crucial insights into the formation of Earth and life itself.
A Costly and Lengthy Journey
The Osiris-Rex mission, with a budget of $1 billion, began in 2016. It reached Bennu in 2018 and collected material using a specialized vacuum arm in 2020.
Over the course of its journey, the spacecraft covered an astonishing 4 billion miles (6.2 billion kilometers).
Complex Recovery Effort
NASA’s meticulous recovery effort in Utah included the use of helicopters and the establishment of a temporary clean room at the Defense Department’s Utah Test and Training Range.
The samples will soon be transported to a new lab at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, which already houses moon rocks gathered by Apollo astronauts.
The Moment of Truth
The mission’s lead scientist, Dante Lauretta, will be present when the capsule is opened in Houston.
The exact quantity of material inside, estimated at 250 grams (8.82 ounces) from Bennu, will be confirmed, with some variation expected.
A precise measurement will take several weeks.
Preparing for a Public Showcase
NASA plans to share the exciting findings with the public in October. As of now, Bennu is orbiting the sun 50 million miles (81 million kilometers) from Earth and holds the potential for future close encounters, making the data collected by Osiris-Rex invaluable for asteroid-deflection efforts.
Continuing Exploration
Osiris-Rex isn’t resting after its successful mission.
It’s currently on a trajectory to reach another asteroid, Apophis, in 2029, continuing its exploration of the cosmos.
NASA’s Legacy in Sample Return Missions
This achievement marks NASA’s third successful sample return mission from deep space, following the Genesis spacecraft in 2004 and the Stardust spacecraft in 2006.
While plans for returning samples from Mars face challenges, the Perseverance rover has been collecting core samples for future transport to Earth.
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