NASA's OSIRIS-REx triumphs over stubborn fasteners, unveiling Bennu's rare space treasure
economictimes.indiatimes.comNASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has successfully surmounted a critical challenge that threatened to impede the exploration of asteroid Bennu's concealed mysteries. This seven-year mission, which aimed to retrieve a sample of Bennu's surface, encountered obstacles in accessing the bulk of rocky material collected in 2020.
Two obstinate fasteners emerged as the bottleneck, prompting NASA's brilliant minds to devise innovative tools that ultimately unlocked the remaining treasure trove from Bennu.
Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES at Johnson, acknowledged the relentless efforts of the team, stating, «Our engineers and scientists have toiled ceaselessly behind the scenes for months.» The triumphant removal of the fasteners signifies a pivotal moment in the disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head, paving the way for a comprehensive exploration of the Bennu sample.
Despite grappling with challenges, the curation team exceeded expectations by gathering 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of asteroid material, surpassing NASA's goal of securing at least 60 grams on Earth. Dr.
Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx curator at Johnson, lauded the team's resilience, noting, «The curation team demonstrated impressive fortitude and accomplished remarkable work in liberating these stubborn fasteners.»
With a price tag of $800 million, the mission aspires to retrieve a sample of an asteroid, particularly one as rich in carbon as Bennu. This celestial body not only provides an opportunity to delve into the chemical origins of life but also offers proximity to Earth's orbit, facilitating the feasibility of exploration.
