Following the release of the sample capsule, the spacecraft has embarked on an extended mission, traveling further to reach another near-Earth asteroid.
“Congratulations to the OSIRIS-REx team on a picture-perfect mission – the first American asteroid sample return in history – which will deepen our understanding of the origin of our solar system and its formation. Not to mention, Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, and what we learn from the sample will help us better understand the types of asteroids that could come our way,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Within an hour and a half of its release, a helicopter swiftly transported the capsule to a temporary clean room set up on the training range., the capsule is connected to a steady supply of nitrogen, which has low reactivity with most chemicals. This nitrogen supply will prevent any potential earthly contaminants from entering the container, ensuring the purity of the sample for scientific analysis.From the 8.
The investigation of the spacecraft will bring new insights into the early solar system and possibly deadly asteroids. The spacecraft is planned to begin scientific observations in April 2029, as it will take almost six years to reach the asteroid after multiple laps around the Sun. Although it will not hit Earth, scientists can make use of this rare encounter to study the asteroid more closely and in-depth.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
First Glimpse: OSIRIS-REx’s Historic Return With Asteroid Bennu SampleNASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is returning from asteroid Bennu with a sample, set to land on Earth on September 24. ESA’s telescope captured the spacecraft 2.90 million miles away. Is it a spacecraft? An asteroid? Well, both. This small central speck is the first image of a spacecraft on its way h
Read more »
OSIRIS-REx: Bennu asteroid sample lands in Utah, marks new achievement in NASA’s space explorationOn Sunday, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft flew by Earth and dropped a sample of steroid Bennu to Utah's West Desert. NASA scientists hope the sample will include clues to the origins of the universe.
Read more »
Historic Touchdown: NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Capsule Containing Asteroid Bennu Sample Has LandedNASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule has safely returned asteroid Bennu samples to Earth, landing in Utah after a controlled descent. The U.S. has, for the first time, delivered rocks and dust from an asteroid to Earth. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample capsule, carrying a sample of asteroid Bennu, touched down on t
Read more »
Watch live as NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft returns asteroid samples to EarthThe probe will drop off surface samples from asteroid Bennu on Sunday morning, aiming for a parachute-assisted landing in the Utah desert.
Read more »
Optimal Weather Forecast for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample ReturnA weather briefing today predicted a dry September 24 with low winds. These are optimal conditions for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample recovery team: A wet and windy day would have made a speedy capsule recovery from the desert floor of the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range more difficul
Read more »