- NASA’s Osiris-Rex capsule returns.
- Largest asteroid sample collected.
- Insights into Earth’s origins.
The capsule glowed bright red as it entered the upper atmosphere, descending towards Earth. Its parachutes were expected to land it safely in the Utah desert after internal temperatures reached 2,800 degrees Celsius.
A NASA capsule containing the largest asteroid sample ever collected has returned to Earth.
The capsule carrying 250g of Bennu rocks and dust from NASA’s Osiris-Rex expedition hit the Utah desert at 15:52.
Experts believe the carbon-rich, Earth-approaching asteroid is a time capsule from the primordial days of the solar system.
This sample may reveal the origin of organics and water on Earth, helping life develop.
Directly collecting the material from the asteroid reduces contamination to about 0%.
Glowing red-hot upon entering the upper atmosphere, it descended towards Earth with internal temperatures expected to reach 2,800 degrees Celsius.
The Utah desert landing was safe thanks to parachutes deployed at the end of its flight.
The sample has returned to NASA’s “clean room” for examination.
Queen musician Brian May, who aided the mission by identifying Osiris-Rex’s sample collection site on the asteroid, reacted to the landing with excitement, saying, “This box, when opened, will reveal untold secrets about the origins of the universe, our planet, and life itself. What an extraordinarily thrilling day!”
This mission marks the first asteroid sample acquisition by any space agency since 2020.
Over 200 people from 38 global institutions, including Manchester University and Natural History Museum experts, will receive 25% of the sample.
The 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu is a relic of the early solar system, classified as a “near-Earth object” because it approaches Earth every six years, though the likelihood of impact is remote.
In 2021, Osiris-Rex scientists assessed Bennu’s 0.037% chance of crossing Earth’s orbit and hitting in September 2182.
This research is crucial for understanding the formation of planets like Earth.
Ashley King, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the Natural History Museum, said, “Osiris-Rex spent two years on asteroid Bennu and found water-altered organics and minerals. These are essential for comprehending the formation of planets like Earth.”
Dr. Sarah Crowther, a research fellow at the University of Manchester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, expressed her honor at being selected for the Osiris-Rex sample analysis team, working alongside leading scientists globally.
She added, “We are eager to receive samples in the future weeks and months to begin analyzing them and unlocking the secrets of asteroid Bennu.”
Sample return missions, such as Osiris-Rex, are critically important, as the returned samples are pristine. Originating from a known asteroid, and unexposed to Earth’s atmosphere, preserving vital information.
