Asteroid Sample Arrives at NASA’s Johnson Space Center: OSIRIS-REx Mission Update

by Hiroshi Tanaka
10 comments
OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample

Asteroid Sample Arrives at NASA’s Johnson Space Center: OSIRIS-REx Mission Update

A container holding a sample from asteroid Bennu was securely fastened on a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft. This sample canister, in addition to disassembled capsule elements and environmental samples gathered from Utah, arrived at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on September 25, 2023, a day following its touchdown in the Utah desert. Photo Credit: NASA/Molly Wasser.

The Johnson Space Center of NASA welcomed the inaugural U.S. asteroid sample from the OSIRIS-REx probe on September 24. Scientific analysis of the Bennu asteroid sample is forthcoming, and the findings will be publicized during a live transmission scheduled for October 11.

The initial sample of a U.S. asteroid, transported to Earth by the OSIRIS-REx vessel on September 24, has reached its designated storage location at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The sample will be managed, preserved, and disseminated to the global scientific community.

The sample was transported to Houston and arrived at 12:40 p.m. Eastern Time (11:40 a.m. Central Time) on board a U.S. Air Force C-17 plane that landed at Ellington Field. Subsequently, it was conveyed to the Johnson Space Center.

Clean Room Preparations

The scientific team will utilize the upcoming weeks to work in a specialized clean room at the Johnson Space Center, designed solely for handling Bennu samples. This clean room is equipped with tailor-made glove boxes intended to house the canister that includes the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) head. This TAGSAM component was affixed to a robotic appendage that procured rock and dust samples from the surface of asteroid Bennu on October 20, 2020.

Image of the newly established OSIRIS-REx clean room at the Johnson Space Center in Houston was captured on June 22, 2023. Photo Credit: NASA/James Blair.

Procedures for Sample Extraction and Analysis

Scientists and technicians, who have rehearsed these protocols over several months, intend to methodically execute a series of actions to extract the sample from the TAGSAM head. Initially, the canister will be positioned in the glove box for disassembly. Subsequently, the TAGSAM head will be detached, where the majority of the sample is anticipated to be located, and every piece of hardware and asteroid dust discovered externally will be catalogued and stored.

Investigators aim to conduct preliminary analysis of the asteroid dust acquired during the disassembly to glean early insights into its chemical, mineralogical, and physical properties as well as the types of rocks that could be part of the main sample.

Public Disclosure of Results

NASA has scheduled to disseminate these preliminary findings, along with the initial imagery of the sample, through a live broadcast set for October 11.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample

What is the primary focus of the article?

The article centers on the arrival of the first U.S. asteroid sample at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This sample was collected from asteroid Bennu by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.

When did the asteroid sample arrive at NASA’s Johnson Space Center?

The asteroid sample arrived at the Johnson Space Center on September 25, 2023, a day after landing in the Utah desert.

What is the significance of this asteroid sample?

The asteroid sample from Bennu will be subjected to scientific analysis. It marks the first time an asteroid sample has been delivered to the United States for such research.

How was the sample transported?

The sample was conveyed to Houston via a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft. It was securely housed in a specialized container during its journey.

What are the plans for the sample’s examination?

The sample will be placed in a specially designed clean room at the Johnson Space Center for disassembly and examination. Scientists and technicians will use the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) head to carry out the analysis.

What is TAGSAM?

TAGSAM stands for Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism. It is a component on the end of a robotic arm that was used to collect rocks and dust from the surface of asteroid Bennu.

When will the findings be made public?

NASA has scheduled a live broadcast for October 11 to share the initial scientific findings and images of the sample with the public.

Who will have access to the asteroid sample for research?

The sample will be managed, preserved, and disseminated to the global scientific community for further study and analysis.

What does the clean room at the Johnson Space Center include?

The clean room is specialized for handling Bennu samples and includes custom glove boxes designed to house the sample canister containing the TAGSAM head.

What type of preliminary analysis is planned?

The preliminary analysis will focus on the chemical, mineralogical, and physical properties of the asteroid dust and will seek to identify the types of rocks that may be present in the main sample.

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10 comments

Mike_T September 26, 2023 - 6:29 am

A U.S. Airforce C-17 for a rock? That’s some VIP treatment right there. But seriously, this could be groundbreaking, pun intended 🙂

Reply
Alex_G September 26, 2023 - 9:02 am

OSIRIS-REx, Bennu, TAGSAM—feeling like I’m reading an epic space opera here. keep up the good work NASA!

Reply
SteveO September 26, 2023 - 10:08 am

Gotta give it to NASA, they’re keeping the dream alive. This sort of research is what pushes humanity forward. kudos!

Reply
JessieP September 26, 2023 - 11:43 am

Public findings on Oct 11 huh? Marking my calendar, this is gonna be historic.

Reply
SarahK September 26, 2023 - 2:47 pm

i’m so curious about what kinda rocks they’ll find. it’s like opening a time capsule but from space lol.

Reply
Tina R September 26, 2023 - 7:38 pm

Wait, so they have a room just for this one asteroid? thats some dedication. Also, TAGSAM sounds like something from a sci-fi movie.

Reply
BenjaminQ September 26, 2023 - 8:14 pm

First US asteroid sample? thats huge, no wonder they’re making such a big deal bout it. Hope the analysis gives us something good.

Reply
LauraM September 26, 2023 - 9:37 pm

Scientists have been prepping for this for months? Man, the pressure’s on. Can’t screw this one up!

Reply
Amy_L September 27, 2023 - 2:41 am

wonder what they’re lookin for in those rocks. Hopefully some groundbreaking discoveries are on the way!

Reply
John D September 27, 2023 - 3:58 am

Wow, this is like science fiction becoming reality! Can’t wait for Oct 11 to hear what they find.

Reply

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