NASA Scientists Open Largest Asteroid Sample Capsule: Black Debris Discovered on Avionics Deck

WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com –After waiting for seven years, NASA scientists on Tuesday (26/9/2023) finally opened the space capsule carrying the largest asteroid sample ever brought back to Earth.

Inside, they found black debris.

“Researchers discovered black dust and debris on the avionics deck of the Osiris-Rex science capsule when the initial cover was opened today,” NASS said without saying whether the debris was definitely from an asteroid.

Also read: NASA Capsule Brings Largest Asteroid Sample to Earth

The United States Space Agency said scientists were looking forward to examining most of the samples, which would require complicated disassembly of the spacecraft.

Osiris-Rex, launched in 2016, was reported to have landed on the asteroid Bennu and collected about 250 grams of dust from the rocky surface.

According to NASA, although the number of samples collected is relatively small, it is enough to help researchers better understand the types of asteroids that could threaten Earth.

This asteroid ended its journey of 6.21 billion kilometers after landing in the desert in the state of Utah, western United States, on Sunday (24/9/2023), after passing through the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and full of risks.

Residue on the avionics deck discovered Tuesday was likely the result of a problem during collection, which NASA said was ultimately resolved, allowing for safe transfer of the samples.

The cover of a NASA capsule is opened in an airtight chamber at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Also read: NASA Confirms There Are No Signs of Aliens That Can Be Identified

A press conference is scheduled for October 11, where most of the samples will be revealed to the public.

Analysis of this asteroid, according to scientists, will help researchers to better understand the formation of the solar system and how Earth became habitable.

As quoted from AFP, most of the samples will be conserved for future generations to study.

About a quarter will be used immediately in experiments, and smaller amounts will be sent to mission partners Japan and Canada.

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2023-09-27 02:53:00
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