NASA is making slower progress than planned in obtaining the soil sample from the asteroid Bennu using the Osiris-Rex probe – but for a good reason: there is more dust and sand than originally assumed. According to NASA’s statement on its blog, the sample container that was recovered from the landed capsule is literally overflowing. How NASA reported on Fridaythe process of extraction began on Wednesday when specialists opened the lid of the container.
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The first quick analyzes are already underway
When opening the collection device with the container – called TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) – you proceed systematically. It was already expected to find material outside the container because it had fallen over the edge of the container and lid during collection, but the amount now found is significantly larger, according to the blog post. The fact that the team now needs more time to recover the larger sample is the best kind of “problem” they could have, said Christopher Snead, head of NASA’s sample recovery team.
The examination of the first samples has already begun. “We have all the microanalytical techniques we can use to completely dissect the sample – almost down to the atomic level,” said Lindsay Keller, a member of the Osiris-Rex sample analysis team. The first samples would be examined using an electron microscope, infrared scanning and X-ray diffraction for rapid analysis. This is intended to provide information about the chemical composition, possible hydrated minerals and traces of organic compounds.
The opened sample container that the Osiris-Rex probe brought to Earth
(Image: NASA/Robert Markowitz)
The capsule with the sample was dropped above Earth by the Osiris-Rex probe last Monday (September 25th). She landed as planned by parachute in the target area in the Utah desert. After recovery, the undamaged capsule was taken to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The probe is already on its way to a new mission.
(Image: NASA/Keegan Barber)
(tiw)