NASA Opens Asteroid Container, Revealing Abundance of Samples
Earlier this month, NASA achieved a major milestone in its OSIRIS-REx mission as it successfully opened the aluminum canister containing bits of the asteroid Bennu. The canister, which had been sealed since the spacecraft dropped off the sample in the Utah desert in September 2023, revealed the bulk of the unseen samples. This is a significant development for the scientific community as it provides an opportunity to study the origins of the solar system.
The opening of the canister was no easy task. The OSIRIS-REx team had to develop new tools to deal with two stuck fasteners that were preventing access to the asteroid sample. After overcoming this obstacle, NASA was finally able to reveal the abundance of asteroid material inside. The photograph captured by Erika Blumenfeld and Joe Aebersold using high-resolution precision photography showcases the remarkable sight of the asteroid sample.
However, there are still a few steps remaining before the bulk of the sample can be fully removed. The curation team will now remove the round metal collar and transfer the remaining sample from the TAGSAM head into smaller sample trays. These trays will be photographed, weighed, packaged, and stored at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
The weight of the sample is yet to be determined, which will provide valuable information about the amount of asteroid material that the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has delivered to Earth. So far, an estimated 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of rock and dust have been weighed, surpassing NASA’s goal of bringing at least 2.12 ounces (60 grams) to Earth.
The returned asteroid pieces will be divided among a sample analysis team consisting of 230 global scientists. This team will conduct a deep dive into Bennu’s composition, unraveling its mysteries and providing insights into the origins of the solar system. NASA plans to keep at least 70 percent of the sample at Johnson Space Center for future research, taking advantage of advanced technology in the coming years. Additionally, some of the asteroid bits will be made available for public display at prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, Space Center Houston, and the University of Arizona.
Bennu, a small near-Earth asteroid, has been a subject of great interest for scientists. It is believed to have broken off from a larger carbon-rich asteroid 700 million to 2 billion years ago and has since come closer to Earth. By analyzing the bits of the asteroid in a lab, scientists hope to gain valuable insights into the origins of our solar system.
In the coming weeks, NASA will determine the final mass of the sample, providing further details about this remarkable achievement. The opening of the asteroid container has unveiled a treasure trove of samples that will continue to contribute to our understanding of the universe. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting mission.
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