Now it is finally open, the dust collection container of the NASA probe Osiris Rex. The spacecraft launched to the asteroid Bennu in 2016, orbited it and collected data and finally touched down on the surface of the speeding celestial body for six seconds to take a sample. A robot arm sucked up dust and stones and the probe began its journey back to Earth. During a flyby in September, it dropped the collection container above the earth and flew on to the next mission. Since then, NASA has been trying to get hold of the valuable cargo. But the locking mechanism could not be unlocked – until Thursday when NASA announced: The lid is off!
There are said to be around 250 grams of asteroid material in the capsule. So far, only samples that had come to earth on the outside of the sample container had been examined. Even these tiny amounts had the scientists ecstatic.
In the coming months, NASA plans to distribute the material to scientists around the world. The goal: Learn more about the beginnings of the solar system and the origin of life.
NASA employees worked for three months to loosen two fastening bolts. 33 had been removed as planned, but those who remained stubbornly resisted. What made matters worse was that the sample container is stored in a very small, hermetically sealed box and can only be processed with specially approved tools in order not to contaminate the space material. Finally, using specially developed screwdrivers, we managed to get the two stubborn bolts out.
The team did an incredible job dissolving these stubborn attachments, NASA’s Nicole Lunning said in a statement. “We are overjoyed with this success.” Now everyone is excited to see what treasures are still hidden inside.
There was already a foretaste of it. At least 70 grams of black-gray asteroid dust had accumulated in front of the actual container during the maneuver on Bennu. Researchers have already discovered carbon compounds and water. The basic ingredients for the emergence of life. The researchers believe that Bennu was formed over four billion years ago. Shortly after the sun formed and asteroids and planets gradually began to assemble. It could be that asteroids like Bennu once brought the ingredients for life to Earth.
The NASA probe is now on its way second mission – and has a new name: Osiris Apex. It is expected to reach the asteroid Apophis in 2029.