OSIRIS-REx Capsule Returns with Asteroid Samples
September 24th, 2023
September 24th, 2023
How Long Ago?
1 year, 5 months, 18 days ago
Location
Utah, United States
Category
Space Exploration
People
- Thomas Zurbuchen
- Dante Lauretta
- Lindsay H. Johnson
Links & References
Tags
OSIRIS-REx Capsule Returns with Asteroid Samples
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned to Earth, bringing back samples from the asteroid 101955 Bennu. The capsule landed in the Utah desert, showcasing the mission's achievement in asteroid exploration. This milestone marks a significant advancement in our understanding of the early solar system and the origins of life. The samples will undergo extensive analysis to uncover their secrets.
Samples from Bennu will help study solar system origins.
OSIRIS-REx launched in 2016 and landed in 2023.
Cape Canaveral was the launch site for the mission.
The capsule securely landed in the designated Utah area.
What Happened?
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft made its triumphant return to Earth, landing its precious cargo of asteroid samples in the Utah desert. Launched in 2016, OSIRIS-REx spent over two years studying the asteroid 101955 Bennu. The spacecraft executed a successful sample collection maneuver in October 2020, capturing around 60 grams of material from the surface of Bennu. This extraordinary venture into deep space aimed to provide insights into the building blocks of the solar system and conditions that led to the formation of life on Earth. The mission has been a collaboration of dedicated scientists and engineers, marking a remarkable achievement in space exploration. Upon reentering Earth's atmosphere, the capsule engaged its thermal protection system to endure the intense heat and pressure before parachuting safely to the designated landing zone. The recovery team promptly secured the capsule, officially marking the end of a nearly seven-year mission filled with challenges and discoveries.
Why Does it Matter?
The successful return of the OSIRIS-REx capsule is pivotal in planetary science and has reinforced the importance of sample return missions for future explorations. Understanding the materials from an ancient asteroid like Bennu contributes to our comprehension of the solar system's evolution and potentially the origins of life on Earth. Such milestones inspire future missions and deepen humanity's connection to space exploration.
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