A sample-containing capsule from the NASA OSIRIS-REx probe has safely landed over Utah desert. The space mission lasted for seven years.
NASA OSIRIS-REx Sample-Containing Capsule Reaches Earth
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft deployed its capsule from around 102,000 kilometers above the Earth on Sunday (September 24). This made the capsule hurl at the atmosphere with a speed of 27,000 mph before slowing down and launching parachutes for landing.
The capsule contains around 60 grams of rocky material taken from potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu, which has a 0.037% chance of striking the Earth. What is particularly interesting about the sample is that it may carry hints about the sources of life.
Now that the samples have finally reached Earth, they are set for careful collection to prevent exposure and contamination. They will then be brought to several labs for further analysis.
Moving forward, scientists will examine the composition of the Bennu samples. NASA is planning to publicly reveal the samples on October 11 and to deliver some samples to global labs.
NASA OSIRIS-REx Seven-Year Mission
The van-sized OSIRIS-REx probe, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, was deployed from Cape Canaveral back in September 2016. It then spent a year flying near the Earth.
When the craft was nearest to Antarctica, it flew around 17,200 kilometers overhead, which made it slingshot to asteroid Bennu by boosting speed by around 13,601 kmph. To successfully land the probe on asteroid Bennu, the scientists performed the most accurate measurement of the Yarkovsky effect, which holds that over prolonged periods, space rocks take in and expel light that carries momentum for altering orbits.
It was a challenge for the mission's scientists to successfully land on the asteroid's surface. The OSIRIS-REx went into a record orbit around asteroid Bennu before finding a safe and boulder-free landing spot. Brian May and collaborator Claudia Manzoni played vital roles in helping the team get a 3D view of the asteroid and choosing an ideal and flat area for landing.
The probe then touched down on Bennu on October 20, 2020. When the probe got into contact with Bennu's surface, it released a nitrogen burst that sent dust and rocks careening around the probe. Some of the material was gathered in a canister.
Later on, the thrusters of the OSIRIS-REx lifted it off the asteroid. The ship then accomplished some flyovers before firmly leaving Bennu in May 2021.
Now that the probe has launched its sample-containing capsule, it is set on focusing on asteroid Apophis. This near-Earth and potentially hazardous asteroid is also covered with rocky materials that the probe will be collecting in 2029.
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