NASA’s Major Announcement: Asteroid Sample Gathered in Space, Now Headed for Earth
In a significant development, NASA’s Johnson Space Center is set to unveil the first-ever asteroid sample collected in space as part of the seven-year OSIRIS-REx mission on October 11. This precious sample promises to provide invaluable insights into the formation of our solar system and the origins of life on our planet.
The United States is on the verge of a historic moment as NASA prepares to reveal the initial asteroid sample obtained from space. This remarkable achievement, the first of its kind in the United States, will take place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on October 11. Media accreditation for this event is currently open.
The unveiling will be accompanied by a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. PDT) and will be broadcasted live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s official website.
The OSIRIS-REx mission represents NASA’s pioneering endeavor in asteroid sample retrieval. The mission embarked on its journey in September 2016 with the aim of exploring the near-Earth asteroid known as Bennu. In October 2020, the spacecraft successfully made its way to the surface of Bennu, collecting approximately 250 grams of material for eventual delivery to Earth. The thrilling conclusion of this mission is set to occur on September 24, 2023, as OSIRIS-REx releases a capsule containing the precious Bennu samples, which will touch down in the Utah desert.
During the event, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx science team will present their initial analysis of the sample, which is anticipated to land in the Utah desert on Sunday, September 24. Following the spacecraft’s safe reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and landing, NASA experts will carefully retrieve the rocks and dust from Bennu contained within the capsule. These invaluable samples will then undergo examination at NASA Johnson in a state-of-the-art curation facility.
The list of participants in the news conference includes esteemed figures such as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Francis McCubbin (OSIRIS-REx deputy curation lead at NASA Johnson), Daniel Glavin (OSIRIS-REx sample analysis lead at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt), and Dante Lauretta (OSIRIS-REx principal investigator from the University of Arizona, Tucson).
The landing of the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule on September 24 near Dugway, Utah, at the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range will signify the culmination of a seven-year expedition dedicated to exploring Bennu, gathering a sample from its surface, and returning it to Earth.
The subsequent phase of the mission, encompassing both curation and research activities, will commence as the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule arrives at NASA Johnson on Monday, September 25. The curation team will meticulously unpack the sample container to retrieve the bulk of the sample. Researchers will then conduct an initial analysis of this precious cargo, with the results set to be publicly unveiled on October 11.
NASA has established a dedicated OSIRIS-REx Sample Curation Laboratory, where experts from the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science team will oversee the distribution of samples to scientists worldwide over the coming years. These scientists aim to deepen our understanding of how our planet and the solar system itself took shape, shedding light on the organic materials that may have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth. A portion of the sample will be preserved for future research, employing evolving technologies that promise to enhance our scientific capabilities.
Notably, Johnson Space Center houses the world’s most extensive collection of astromaterials from the solar system, including samples from asteroids, comets, Mars, the Moon, the Sun, and even dust from distant stars. Equipped with world-class laboratories, scientists at Johnson are at the forefront of planetary materials research, unraveling the mysteries of the origin and evolution of our solar system and the broader cosmos.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample
What is the OSIRIS-REx mission?
The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security – Regolith Explorer) mission is a NASA initiative launched in September 2016. Its primary goal is to explore the near-Earth asteroid known as Bennu.
What is the significance of the asteroid sample collected?
The sample collected from the asteroid Bennu during the OSIRIS-REx mission is of immense scientific importance. It provides insights into the formation of our solar system and the origins of life on Earth.
When and where will the asteroid sample be revealed?
The unveiling of the asteroid sample is scheduled for October 11, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. A news conference will be held at 11 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. PDT) and will be broadcast live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.
What happens after the asteroid sample lands on Earth?
Once the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft reenters Earth’s atmosphere and safely lands, NASA experts will retrieve the rocks and dust from the asteroid contained within the return capsule. These samples will then undergo examination at NASA Johnson in a specialized curation facility.
Who are the key figures involved in this event?
Notable participants in the news conference on October 11 include NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Francis McCubbin (OSIRIS-REx deputy curation lead), Daniel Glavin (OSIRIS-REx sample analysis lead), and Dante Lauretta (OSIRIS-REx principal investigator from the University of Arizona, Tucson).
What is the next phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission?
Following the sample’s return to Earth, the mission’s next phase will encompass both curation and research activities. The sample return capsule is expected to arrive at NASA Johnson on Monday, September 25, where the curation team will carefully unpack the sample container for further analysis.
How will the asteroid sample be used for research?
NASA has established a dedicated OSIRIS-REx Sample Curation Laboratory, which will manage the distribution of samples to scientists worldwide over the coming years. These scientists aim to gain a deeper understanding of our solar system’s formation and the organic materials that may have contributed to life on Earth.
What makes NASA Johnson Space Center significant in this context?
Johnson Space Center is home to the world’s largest collection of astromaterials from the solar system. It houses samples from various celestial bodies, including asteroids, comets, Mars, the Moon, the Sun, and even dust from distant stars. This unique resource enables scientists to conduct cutting-edge research on planetary materials and the space environment, enhancing our knowledge of the solar system and beyond.
More about OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample
- NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission Overview
- NASA’s Official Website
- OSIRIS-REx Sample Curation Laboratory
- Johnson Space Center
- OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator – Dante Lauretta
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- University of Arizona – OSIRIS-REx
- Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range
- Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science at NASA
