UNITED STATES: In a major leap towards unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission inches closer to delivering a unique fragment of space history to Earth.
The agency recently completed a pivotal test by retrieving a mock capsule from Utah’s desert expanse, mimicking the landing procedure for the anticipated asteroid sample touchdown next month.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft embarked on its mission in September 2016 with a focused objective: studying and capturing samples from the formidable near-Earth asteroid Bennu, which spans about 1,650 feet in width.
After scrutinizing the asteroid for nearly two years, the spacecraft faced an unexpected challenge during its sample collection attempt in October 2020. The seemingly solid surface of Bennu gave way like fluid, leading to a more fruitful collection of material than anticipated.
The real payload, containing approximately 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of pristine material from Bennu, is now poised for landing on September 24. “We are now mere weeks away from receiving a piece of solar system history on Earth, and this successful drop test ensures we’re ready,” affirmed Nicola Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
The asteroid material, considered a time capsule from 4.5 billion years ago, is anticipated to provide unprecedented insights into the formation of our solar system and potentially shed light on the origins of life on Earth.
The research community eagerly anticipates analyzing the material for traces of organic molecules, which are critical to understanding the early chemical building blocks of life.
After touchdown, the capsule will undergo meticulous processing in a secure environment at Utah’s military range before being transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This meticulous curation is part of a comprehensive plan to distribute samples to scientists worldwide for in-depth analysis.
Although the OSIRIS-REx mission is rapidly approaching its climax, its journey will continue with a new destination: the potentially hazardous asteroid Apophis. Slated to arrive at Apophis in 2029, the spacecraft’s extended mission promises further revelations about these enigmatic space wanderers.
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