NASA’s daring OSIRIS-REx mission, a multi-year quest to visit the asteroid Bennu and bring back a piece of it, has delivered a scientific windfall. After analyzing the precious cargo the spacecraft returned to Earth in 2023, NASA scientists have announced that OSIRIS-REx collected a staggering 250 grams of asteroid material – far exceeding their expectations.
The Touch-and-Go That Paid Off
The OSIRIS-REx mission wasn’t your average space probe flyby. In 2020, after spending time carefully mapping Bennu, the spacecraft executed a maneuver nicknamed “Touch-and-Go” (TAG). In a stunning display of precision, OSIRIS-REx descended to the asteroid’s boulder-strewn surface and delicately extended a sampling arm. With a brief burst of nitrogen gas, it stirred up dust and rocks, capturing them in a special collection head.
The success of this maneuver hinged on collecting at least 60 grams of material – the bare minimum for achieving the mission’s science goals. But OSIRIS-Rex had far more in store.
Unpacking the Treasure Chest
Back on Earth, scientists eagerly awaited the opening of the sample return capsule. Due to the unexpectedly large haul, NASA’s curation experts at the Johnson Space Center had to develop new tools and procedures to carefully extract and measure the Bennu sample. Their meticulous work revealed a total of 250 grams, a space collection bonanza!
Why Rocks from Space Matter
Asteroids like Bennu are cosmic time capsules, containing pristine material from the earliest days of our solar system. Analyzing these samples promises to unlock new insights into how planets like Earth formed, the distribution of water and organic molecules in space, and perhaps even the origins of life itself.
The Science Has Only Just Begun
NASA will make 75% of the Bennu sample available to scientists worldwide, ensuring a wealth of research for decades to come. Imagine the discoveries in store as laboratories around the globe scrutinize these otherworldly fragments. Some of the material will also be archived for future generations, allowing scientists to leverage new technologies as they become available.
OSIRIS-REx: A Mission that Keeps Giving
With the primary sample-return objective a resounding success, NASA could even send OSIRIS-REx on a new adventure to visit another asteroid. Regardless of its future course, the spacecraft has already cemented its place in space exploration history.
