At present within the historical past of astronomy, a mission to deliver again samples from an asteroid begins.
Asteroid Bennu was chosen for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample-return misison partly as a result of it was believed to be wealthy within the supplies wanted for all times. Credit score: NASA
On Sept. 8, 2016, the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Useful resource Identification, and Safety – Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission launched from Cape Canaveral, setting off on its 4.4-billion-mile (2 billion kilometers) journey to asteroid Bennu. Concerning the measurement of an SUV, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft carries a number of cameras, an altimeter used to create maps of Bennu, and an arm that will be used to retrieve Bennu’s rock and mud. Scientists hoped that the sample-return mission, the U.S.’s first to an asteroid, would offer clues to the origin of life on our planet – the presence of life-supporting components would counsel that the components for all times have been widespread within the early universe.
OSIRIS-REx reached Bennu on Dec. 3, 2018, collected its pattern on Oct. 20, 2020, and on Sept. 24, 2023, delivered a capsule holding the pattern to Earth. Evaluation is ongoing, however has discovered supplies vital for all times. After its Bennu pattern transport was full, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft (now renamed OSIRIS-APEX) set off on a brand new mission, this time heading for asteroid Apophis. It’s anticipated to reach in 2029.
Elisa Neckar is senior manufacturing editor of Astronomy journal, and the editor of the At present within the Historical past of Astronomy function on Astronomy.com.