NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample capsule has finally been unlocked, revealing the bounty of asteroid material that the probe collected during its historic journey. After months of anticipation and technical challenges, scientists and researchers are now poised to delve into this remarkable space rock treasure trove.
The milestone achievement, realized on January 10, 2024, marks a turning point for the OSIRIS-REx mission, which made history in September 2023 by becoming the first U.S. mission to return an asteroid sample to Earth. The eagerly anticipated access to the asteroid material was made possible after a group of NASA technicians successfully removed two stubborn fasteners that had securely held the sample within the return capsule.
Earlier this month, the OSIRIS-REx team managed to crack open the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head, overcoming the challenge posed by two stuck fasteners. The reveal of the unseen samples within the sampler head unveiled an abundance of asteroid material, presenting a wealth of opportunities for scientists worldwide to delve into the origins of the solar system.
The unlocking of the sample-return capsule has allowed scientists to peer inside the canister containing rocky space rubble gathered from the asteroid Bennu. The approximately 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of space material is believed to hold valuable insights into the early precursors of life and marks the first-ever chunk of a space rock snatched by a NASA mission.
The disassembly process of the return capsule, which landed in Utah in September 2023, was hindered by two stubborn fasteners. Overcoming this challenge required the design and manufacture of bespoke clamp-like tools made from surgical steel. These custom tools proved instrumental in overcoming the obstacle, ensuring that the canister could be opened on January 11, unlocking the tantalizing secrets of the asteroid sample.
The reveal of the asteroid material is met with wide-eyed anticipation from the scientific community, as researchers eagerly await the opportunity to glean insights that may provide clues about the origin of the solar system and the potential presence of the building blocks of life within the space rock.
With the door to this cosmic treasure trove now open, the OSIRIS-REx mission stands poised to unlock a wealth of knowledge and understanding about the universe, providing invaluable contributions to the exploration and comprehension of our celestial surroundings.
