OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Collects Double the Expected Sample from Asteroid Bennu
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has exceeded expectations by collecting double the amount of asteroid samples than originally anticipated. The mission, which aimed to gather material from asteroid Bennu, has delivered a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the origins of life on Earth.
The successful sample collection was announced in a press release by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who expressed his excitement about the unprecedented achievement. “The OSIRIS-REx sample is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth and will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come,” said Nelson. He emphasized that NASA’s mission is driven by the desire to answer fundamental questions about humanity’s existence and place in the universe.
The delivery of the samples took place last fall, but it encountered some unexpected challenges along the way. The disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), the system used to collect the samples, was temporarily halted due to two stuck fasteners. However, scientists from the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) division developed new tools to overcome this obstacle and successfully retrieved the remaining sample.
NASA plans to store 70% of the sample at Houston’s Johnson Space Center for further research by scientists worldwide. In addition, the curation team will release a catalog of the OSIRIS-REx samples later this spring, making them available for request by the global scientific community. This collaborative effort will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in our understanding of asteroids and their significance in our cosmic history.
The journey of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft began in September 2023 when it received a capsule containing asteroid samples as it flew past Earth. The capsule, which landed on a remote military land four hours later, contained half a cup of samples from the 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid Bennu. The samples were then transported to a temporary clean room at the Defense Department’s Utah Test and Training Range before being sent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
By October, NASA had collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of rocks and dust from the outside of the canister that held the TAGSAM. However, the research was temporarily paused due to the stubborn fasteners that prevented further progress. Despite this setback, the mission was still considered a success as the spacecraft had already surpassed its target of collecting approximately 2.12 ounces.
In January 2024, scientists successfully developed tools to safely remove the fasteners from the TAGSAM. Finally, in February, NASA announced that the TAGSAM had been completely opened, allowing for the acquisition of the remaining sample. In total, an impressive 4.29 ounces of material was collected from the asteroid.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, is a van-sized craft powered by solar panels. During its visit to Bennu, it meticulously collected samples from the asteroid’s surface and sealed them inside a 3-foot-wide container known as the Sample Return Capsule. Equipped with a heat shield, this capsule ensured the safe delivery of the precious samples back to Earth.
The entire OSIRIS-REx mission, excluding the launch, cost $800 million. However, the wealth of knowledge gained from this endeavor is invaluable. “NASA missions like OSIRIS-REx will improve our understanding of asteroids that could threaten Earth while giving us a glimpse into what lies beyond,” stated Nelson. With the samples safely back on Earth, scientists eagerly anticipate uncovering unprecedented scientific insights that will shape our understanding of our cosmic origins.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY, covering a wide range of topics from local businesses and government to technology and pop culture. You can follow her on various social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, where she shares her latest updates and engaging content.
Contributing to this article were George Petras, Ramon Padilla, and Janet Loehrke from USA TODAY, who provided valuable insights and information. Their contributions have helped shape this article into a comprehensive and informative piece that captures the significance of the OSIRIS-REx mission and its remarkable achievements.
