Posted - 4 years 1 month ago
For the first time ever, NASAs Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft performed a Touch-and-Go (TAG) sample-retrieving operation on an ancient asteroid 200 million miles away. The near-Earth asteroid, known as Bennu, is not only conveniently located, but is also well-preserved in a vacuum of space. Scientists believe this primordial, carbon-rich artifact that dates billions of years likely contains other organic molecules that make up the basic ingredients for life. Multiple analyses of the sample collected by OSIRIS-REx would confirm the presence of such life-forming compounds on Bennu and offer clues to Earths origin.At 1:50 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, the agencys probe fired its thrusters to remove itself from the asteroids orbit and began its slow descent to the surface. With its 11-foot robotic arm called Touch-and-Go Acquisition Mechanism (TAGASM) extended, OSIRIS-REx carefully navigated through a rocky obstacle course that included a massive two-story-building-sized boulder known as Mount Doom. After four hours, much to the teams relief, the spacecraft eventually reached the sample collection site Nightingale, where it blasted the surface with nitrogen gas, causing dirt and pebbles to disperse.NASAs goal was to retrieve at least 60 grams of rubble from Bennus surface. Unfortunately, it may take up to a week to analyze the data and calculate the actual mass. Should there be enough of the sample, the OSIRIS-REx team will remotely command the spacecraft to depart Bennu and return to Earth by 2021. If not, they will try again in January.A piece of primordial rock that has witnessed solar systems entire history may now be ready to come home for generations of scientific discovery, said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The thought of holding a piece of cosmic past in hands, itself, is exciting. Though the team still has yet to determine the success of the mission, their historic attempt is certainly one to remember. Congratulations to NASA! Image Credits NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona
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