The NASA OSIRIS-REx mission has been unfolding over the past seven years, ever since the spacecraft took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. As the journey nears its conclusion, the moment of truth for the team is almost here. In just a few weeks, the spacecraft will be delivering a significant payload to our planet – samples collected from asteroid Bennu back in 2020. This return bears profound implications for the scientific community and will bring humanity one step closer to unraveling the secrets of our solar system.
Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for science, has spoken about his enthusiasm for the impending arrival of the asteroid samples. According to him, the samples carry a piece of our solar system’s primordial era, an era from which many secrets remain unexplored. A recent video posted by NASA showcases the spectacular journey of OSIRIS-REx, including its dramatic landing on Bennu at a mind-boggling speed of 63,000 mph.
To ensure a safe landing and recovery, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has been instructed to release a capsule containing the gathered samples. Once it reaches Earth, the capsule will depose a parachute to reduce its descent speed and then gently float towards the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range, where the OSIRIS-REx team will be waiting. Before the samples are retrieved, a final simulation by the mission team proved the efficiency of their recovery plan.
Sample Return from Asteroid Bennu Brings Science to Earth Invaluable
Researchers are getting ready to extensively study the pristine material retrieved from asteroid Bennu. By examining it closely, scientists will gain valuable insights into the development of our solar system and perhaps even how life on Earth evolved. This essential information will be crucial in developing new theories about the early solar system. Nicola Fox, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate associate administrator, acknowledged the significance of the OSIRIS-REx mission and emphasized the value of studying the asteroid Bennu material. “Pristine material from asteroid Bennu will provide the scientific community with a rich source of knowledge on the origins of our solar system,” she said.
This mission marks a groundbreaking achievement for NASA, a first for the agency that has historically prioritized exploration of other planets. However, the Japanese space agency has already successfully recovered samples from different asteroids, providing evidence of the practicality of this venture. The OSIRIS-REx mission is poised to make a similar significant impact, unlocking further knowledge about the solar system’s early days and the secrets of asteroid Bennu.
The final countdown has begun, and before long, the OSIRIS-REx mission will be over with the safe return of the asteroid samples to Earth. This will undoubtedly be a testament to the steadfast commitment and tireless work of the OSIRIS-REx team.
