NASA is set to unveil the first images of the largest asteroid sample ever collected from space. This collection, from the OSIRIS-REx mission, holds the potential to provide valuable insights into the early days of our solar system and the possible origins of life. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected rock and dust from the asteroid Bennu in 2020, and its capsule safely returned to Earth a little over two weeks ago, landing in the Utah desert.
The collected material is currently undergoing meticulous analysis in a specialized clean room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA will conduct a live-streamed news conference to share photographs and initial scientific findings.
While OSIRIS-REx wasn’t the first mission to collect asteroid samples (Japan had previously succeeded twice), the substantial amount of material returned—250 grams (about half a pound)—far surpasses what Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission brought back (5.4 grams).
Bennu was chosen as the target for the OSIRIS-REx mission because it is believed to be rich in organic compounds. Scientists theorize that similar asteroids could have transported organic building blocks and water to Earth through collisions billions of years ago.
One advantage of Bennu’s orbit is that it intersects with that of our planet, making the mission’s roundtrip journey easier compared to going to the Asteroid Belt located between Mars and Jupiter. So far, researchers have been encouraged by the discovery of “bonus particles” in the sample collector. This “black dust and debris” offer additional opportunities for study.
The probe initially encountered an issue during sample collection when a flap meant to seal the sample collector became wedged open, allowing some of the finer material to escape. Nevertheless, the substantial quantity of material in the collector has proven to be a welcome challenge.
Bennu is believed to have originated from the remnants of a larger asteroid in the asteroid belt. The data collected by OSIRIS-REx has revealed that the particles on Bennu’s surface are so loosely packed that if someone were to step onto it, they might sink in, much like stepping into a pit of plastic balls.
In addition to its scientific significance, understanding Bennu’s composition could be valuable in case there is ever a need to alter its trajectory. While there is no immediate threat of Bennu colliding with Earth before the mid-2100s, the chances increase to around 1 in 1750 between then and the year 2300, according to NASA.
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