The probe delivered samples from the asteroid Bennu to Earth
However, part of the material cannot be accessed by scientists
When you send a probe to an asteroid to collect material from it and successfully deliver it to Earth, a lot of problems can arise. Despite the difficulty of the task, NASA’s control center announced a few weeks ago that the mission was a success. Since then, scientists have begun to open the special sample box, a slow and delicate process.
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Samples from the asteroid traveled 1.9 billion kilometers to Earth
But now the researchers have run into a complication. They cannot open the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) to access the bulk of the samples; a small part of the material was previously shown by NASA chief Bill Nelson. After several attempts at disassembly, the researchers determined that two of the 35 TAGSAM warhead fasteners could not be removed with current tools approved for use in the “glove box.”
This may seem like a minor problem, but the catch is that all the instruments the team uses must fit inside a device that flows nitrogen so that the samples are not exposed to the Earth’s atmosphere and remain in their original state for subsequent scientific analysis.
So NASA has to figure out how to get at the rocks with the tools it has or with new tools that will fit dimensionally. “The team is working to develop and implement new approaches to extract material inside the warhead while still keeping the samples intact,” explains agency.
NASA has to figure out how to get to the rocks
So far, the team managed to retrieve 70.3 grams of rocks and dust, some of which was accessible through a so-called mylar flap. This exceeds the US agency’s original goal of delivering at least 60 grams of rocks to Earth. However, valuable material still remains inside the head, which is not accessible because it is held inside by the aforementioned fasteners.
According to NASA, in the coming weeks, researchers will develop and practice new procedures to help remove fasteners while processing samples already taken.
Bennu is an asteroid that passes by Earth every six years. The goal of the OSIRIS-REx mission was to collect samples from it and deliver them to our planet. Scientists are very interested in the material from the planet because it will allow them to find out what chemicals and rocks it contains. Similar cosmic bodies in the distant past brought with them organic material that is necessary for the origin of life when they hit the Earth.
Preview photo source: NASA, source: IFLScience, NASA
2023-10-28 14:26:14
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