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Last September, the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) probe brought a capsule with samples from the asteroid Bennu to Earth. However, NASA specialists encountered an unexpected problem. They were unable to open the sample container because two fasteners on the lid blocked it.
Problems accessing the samples
The problem turned out to be two of the 35 elements securing the head of the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism), which contains material from the asteroid. These elements just stuck.
Specialists tried to repair the headgear for several months, but nothing helped. The blockage could not be removed using cleanroom-approved tools. This is a big problem because the container had to be opened in perfect condition so as not to contaminate the samples. You couldn’t just take a saw and cut through the blockage.
The only thing that helped was the development of completely new tools. “Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly for months, not only processing more than 70 grams of material we previously had access to, but also designing, developing and testing new tools,” Eileen Stansbery of NASA’s Johnson Space Center said in a statement. – The team’s innovative strength and commitment were exceptional. “We are all excited about the remaining treasure that OSIRIS-REx holds,” she added.
New tools
The new tools are made from a special surgical, non-magnetic stainless steel. It is the hardest metal approved for use in immaculate glove boxes. Before the tools were used, they were first tested in a test laboratory on less valuable objects.
“In addition to the design challenge of limiting ourselves to approved materials to protect the scientific value of the asteroid sample, the new tools also had to function in the confined space of the glove compartment,” said OSIRIS-REx mission scientist Dr. Nicole Lunning.
Bennu samples
The team managed to collect about 70.3 grams of material from the asteroid Bennu before removing two blocking parts of the sampler lid. Experts estimate that there are another 250 grams of valuable samples in the sampler. However, “several further dissection steps” are necessary before the remaining samples can be photographed, removed, weighed and processed. Tiny pieces scraped from the sampler lid have already been sent around the world for analysis.
Preliminary studies have shown that the samples contain high levels of carbon and water, which together suggest that the building blocks of life on Earth are found in this space rock (more on this in the text: Samples from the Bennu asteroid included carbon and water). Further investigation revealed that the samples also contained large amounts of magnesium, sodium and phosphorus (more on this in the text: Material from the Bennu asteroid holds surprises).
The asteroid Bennu is believed to be over 4 billion years old, meaning it dates back to when our solar system was just forming. Analysis of the collected material can provide information about the conditions that existed during the formation of our planetary system.
Bennu is a potentially dangerous asteroid. There is a chance (1 in 2,700) that it will hit Earth in 2182. This is the highest probability of a collision with our planet of any space object known to us.
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