The latest space exploration news captivates the attention of all fans of astronomy and scientific discoveries. This time, it’s NASA that is making headlines with the recovery of a piece of the asteroid Bennu, which landed in the Utah desert, in the United States. This mission, led by the Osiris-Rex probe, marks an important advance in our understanding of asteroids and the origin of our solar system.
After a seven-year journey, the Osiris-Rex probe managed to collect around 250 grams of material from the asteroid Bennu in 2020. This precious sample, the largest ever collected by NASA from the lunar rocks of the Apollo program, should provide crucial information on the composition of asteroids and their potential to threaten Earth.
The operation to recover the capsule containing the sample was extremely delicate and dangerous. The probe released the capsule four hours before landing, more than 100,000 km from Earth. During the last thirteen minutes of its descent, the capsule passed through the atmosphere at lightning speed, experiencing temperatures reaching 2,700°C. Fortunately, the parachutes worked and allowed for a smooth landing.
Once the capsule was recovered, it was analyzed to ensure its integrity. No breaches were observed, which means that the sample is preserved in its original state. It was then transported to a clean room, to minimize any contamination and preserve the purity of the sample.
Now that the capsule is safe, scientists will be able to begin analyzing this exceptional sample. The first results should be revealed during a press conference scheduled for October 11. The majority of the sample will be retained for future studies, while a portion will be used immediately for experiments. A small amount will also be shared with mission partners Japan and Canada.
This NASA mission is of capital importance for our understanding of the origin of our solar system. Asteroids are relics from this distant era, preserving the original materials that formed our planet. The study of these asteroids will allow us to learn more about our own origin and the evolution of our solar system.
In conclusion, the recovery of the sample from the asteroid Bennu by NASA is a historic step in space exploration. The data and analyzes that will be carried out on this sample will help to broaden our knowledge of asteroids and to better understand the potential threats they represent. This mission also marks a significant advance in understanding the origin of our solar system and our own existence.