NASA successfully received samples from asteroid Bennu, considered “the most dangerous known rock in the Solar System”, on Sunday, the 24th of September. The samples, in a capsule collected by the Osiris-Rex spacecraft in 2020, successfully landed in the West Desert of Utah, reports BBC.
NASA aims to study the samples from Bennu to assess its potential impact on Earth in the coming centuries. In addition, the samples collected could provide valuable insights into the formation of the solar system and the origins of life on our planet.
The capsule with the samples landed on the territory of the Department of Defence at 08:52 local time, three minutes ahead of schedule. The car tyre-sized capsule entered the Earth’s atmosphere at over 12 km/s, while a heat shield and parachutes ensured a gentle and precise landing.
“This little capsule understood the mission,”
said Tim Priser, chief engineer at aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin, describing the capsule’s flawless landing as a feather’s drop.
Precious cargo ?
The #OSIRISREx asteroid sample hitches a ride on a helicopter. The next stop is a clean room here in Utah. It will eventually make its way to @NASA_Johnson for scientific analysis. pic.twitter.com/pP6ZHVtTXg
— NASA (@NASA) September 24, 2023
The capsule was quickly transported by helicopter to a temporary clean room at the nearby Dugway army base, preventing any contamination by modern Earth chemicals. The aim is to preserve possible carbon compounds in the sample that could be linked to the origin of life. In the lab, the team disassembled the capsule by removing its heat shield and back cap, leaving the 250 grams heavy sample in its secure, inner canister.
On the 11th of October, NASA plans to hold a press conference
to present the first findings from the returned samples.
Some of the samples will be distributed to research teams around the world for various studies, with results expected within two years.
NASA’s planetary science director Lori Glaze told BBC News that most of the sample will be preserved for future generations to study using advanced technology and instruments that are not currently available.
Read also: Monastery attack escalates Kosovo-Serbia conflict