After a seven-year journey through space, a NASA capsule has safely returned to Earth, touching down in the Utah desert, carrying the most extensive collection of asteroid samples ever obtained by humans. This achievement has scientists eagerly anticipating the discoveries that may emerge from the analysis of these samples, which could enhance our comprehension of solar system formation and the factors that led to Earth becoming a hospitable planet.
The final, fiery descent of the Osiris-Rex probe as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere garnered global attention due to the inherent dangers involved. Nevertheless, the capsule executed a successful gentle landing within a military test range in northwestern Utah. The probe, originally launched in 2016, completed its mission by landing on the asteroid "Bennu" in 2020.
The spacecraft managed to secure approximately nine ounces (250 grams) of dust from the asteroid's rocky surface, although scientists had hoped for a larger volume, akin to a cupful, from this carbon-rich asteroid. Japan, the only other nation to return asteroid samples, contributed approximately a teaspoon of material. Despite its small size, NASA believes that this minuscule quantity of asteroid dust will significantly aid in our comprehension of potentially hazardous asteroid types and shed light on the earliest stages of our solar system.
Amy Simon, a NASA scientist, has characterized this sample return as a historic achievement, noting its significance as the most substantial sample brought back since the Apollo moon rocks.
The return of the capsule was a culmination of its journey, which involved a fiery descent through the Earth's atmosphere lasting only 13 minutes, during which it plummeted at speeds exceeding 27,000 miles per hour, with temperatures soaring to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). This rapid descent was closely monitored using military sensors, with parachutes deployed successfully toward the end of the journey, slowing the capsule to around 11 mph before its gentle landing on the desert floor.
Upon arrival, the collected sample will be transported via helicopter to a "clean room" at the Utah test range for initial examination. Subsequently, it will be sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it will be divided into smaller specimens and distributed to approximately 200 scientists across 60 laboratories worldwide for in-depth analysis. NASA intends to unveil its initial findings from the study of these samples during a news conference on October 11.
Asteroids, having preserved their original materials for roughly 4.5 billion years, offer a unique opportunity to gain insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. Melissa Morris, the program executive of Osiris-Rex, emphasizes that asteroids hold the potential to reveal our cosmic origin story. Moreover, these celestial bodies have played a significant role in shaping Earth's history by delivering organic materials, potentially including life-enabling substances like water, through impacts with our planet.
Asteroid Bennu, with a diameter of approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) and its carbon-rich composition, has piqued the interest of scientists. Its peculiarities, including an unexpectedly low density reminiscent of a children's pool filled with plastic balls, became apparent when the probe made contact with its surface in 2020. Understanding the composition of asteroids like Bennu may prove indispensable for the distant future.