A monumental achievement in space exploration
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has proudly unveiled its first-ever display of a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu. This remarkable achievement is a result of the NASA-led OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully retrieved the sample and delivered it to Earth in September 2023.
OSIRIS-REx: A Mission of Discovery
OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) is an ambitious mission that was launched in September 2016. Its primary objective was to collect a sample from the asteroid Bennu and bring it back to Earth, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.
A Journey to Bennu
OSIRIS-REx embarked on an arduous journey through space to reach its destination – the asteroid Bennu. After two years of traveling nearly 1.2 billion kilometers, the spacecraft reached Bennu in December 2018. It then spent over two years meticulously studying the asteroid’s surface, mapping its terrain, and assessing potential sample collection sites.
The Bold Sampling Maneuver
In October 2020, after careful planning and rehearsal, OSIRIS-REx executed a daring sampling maneuver named TAG (Touch-And-Go). The spacecraft descended towards Bennu and made a brief touch on the asteroid’s surface, firing a burst of nitrogen gas to stir up and collect a sample of regolith (loose surface material). This delicate operation lasted only a few seconds, but it was a crucial step towards bringing pieces of Bennu back to Earth.
The Highly Anticipated Return
OSIRIS-REx began its journey back to Earth in May 2021, carrying its precious cargo of Bennu samples. On September 24, 2023, the mission successfully delivered the capsule containing the asteroid material to the Utah Test and Training Range, where it was then transported to the curation facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Finally, the precious samples were delivered to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for scientific research, analysis, and public display.
Unveiling the Bennu Sample
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is now hosting the historic display of the Bennu sample, allowing visitors to witness the tangible evidence of our ongoing exploration of the cosmos. This achievement represents a significant milestone in our understanding of asteroids, the formation of our solar system, and the potential for extraterrestrial resources.
Expanding Our Knowledge of the Universe
The sample brought back by OSIRIS-REx holds immense scientific value. By studying the composition and properties of the Bennu sample, scientists hope to gain insights into the origins of life on Earth and the building blocks of our solar system. This research will contribute to our understanding of the potential for resources on asteroids and improve our ability to predict and mitigate asteroid threats to our planet in the future.
A Celebration of Human Ingenuity
The Smithsonian’s unveiling of the Bennu sample display is a reminder of the incredible achievements of human ingenuity and perseverance. It represents the collaborative efforts of countless individuals and the technological advancements made in space exploration.
As we marvel at the first display of the Bennu sample at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, we also look forward to the future discoveries and breakthroughs that will be made possible through projects like OSIRIS-REx.
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