The OSIRIS-REX mission was a success, and the canister was opened at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on September 25, 2023. The canister contains approximately 2 ounces (60 grams) of material from Bennu, which is more than twice as much as we originally hoped to collect.
The canister is a remarkable piece of engineering, and it’s played a vital role in bringing us closer to understanding the origins of our solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth.
What is the OSIRIS-REX canister?
The OSIRIS-REX canister is a cylindrical container that holds the asteroid sample. The canister is made of aluminum and is coated with a special material to protect the sample from contamination. The canister is also equipped with a variety of sensors that monitor the temperature and pressure inside the canister.
How did the OSIRIS-REX canister collect the asteroid sample?
The OSIRIS-REX spacecraft collected the asteroid sample using a technique called Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM). TAGSAM is a robotic arm that extended from the spacecraft and touched the surface of the asteroid. When TAGSAM touched the asteroid, it fired a small burst of nitrogen gas that kicked up a plume of dust and rocks. TAGSAM then collected some of the dust and rocks and stored them in the canister.
What does the OSIRIS-REX canister contain?
The OSIRIS-REX canister contains a mixture of dust and rocks from the surface of asteroid Bennu. The sample is estimated to weigh between 2 and 6 ounces. The sample is very valuable to scientists because it contains information about the early formation of the solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth.
What are the next steps for the OSIRIS-REX canister?
The OSIRIS-REX canister will now be carefully opened and the sample will be removed. The sample will then be divided into small portions and sent to scientists all over the world for study. Scientists will use the sample to learn more about the composition of asteroid Bennu, the formation of the solar system, and the potential for life beyond Earth.
What does this mean for the future of space exploration?
The OSIRIS-REX mission is a major milestone in space exploration. It’s the first time that a spacecraft has collected a sample from an asteroid and returned it to Earth. This mission has shown that it is possible to bring back samples from other planets and asteroids, and this opens up new possibilities for future space exploration missions.
The OSIRIS-REX mission has seriously rocked the space game! NASA nailed it with their epic sample return mission. Talk about bringing back a little souvenir from an asteroid! That canister is like the ultimate cosmic treasure chest. It’s like they went on an interstellar shopping spree and brought home a little piece of the universe. Who knew space rocks could be so fascinating? Keep digging, NASA! You’re taking us on one heck of an intergalactic adventure!
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