NASA’s first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid will land in the Utah desert on September 24th. The spacecraft, named OSIRIS-REx, will be collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu, estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old. Scientists hope that by analyzing this sample, they will gain a better understanding of the origin of life in the universe. The landing will take place at the Utah Test and Training Range in Dugway, around 85 miles west of Salt Lake City.
OSIRIS-REx has been in development for 20 years, with the mission aircraft having been in space for the past seven years. The capsule used to collect the asteroid sample launched in 2016 and reached Bennu in 2018. It left with a sample in May 2021. The capsule weighs approximately 110 pounds and is covered in a thermal material to protect the sample from heat. It opens to collect samples similar to Pac-Man’s mouth.
In preparation for the landing, the recovery team has conducted five major rehearsals, including one at the Utah Test and Training Range to analyze ground conditions and simulate the real landing. While there are concerns about potential challenges, such as metal screws fusing together or complications due to the weather, the team feels confident that they are prepared for any scenario.
The landing process will begin with the OSIRIS-REx aircraft dropping the capsule from space around four hours before the expected landing time. The capsule will enter the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of around 27,700 mph, with a temperature of approximately 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time the capsule lands in Utah, its temperature will have decreased to around 130 degrees.
The recovery process could take up to two hours, during which a team of 11 people will collect the capsule, as well as air and soil samples from the surrounding area. The sample will be taken to a cleanroom facility on site to minimize contamination before being sent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The sample will then be separated into parts for further study and sharing with other organizations.
Analyzing the sample from Bennu will provide valuable insights into the origin of life in the universe and help scientists better understand the potential threats from outer space. Bennu is currently considered the most likely asteroid to hit Earth, although the likelihood is low. Despite this, scientists feel it is crucial to study it to mitigate any potential consequences.
The landing site in Utah is not new to space missions, as it has previously been used for the landing of NASA’s Stardust and Genesis missions, which brought back pieces of comets to the Utah desert.
After dropping off the sample, the OSIRIS-REx aircraft will continue its mission to explore the asteroid Apophis. The OSIRIS-REx mission marks a significant milestone for NASA, not only for collecting the United States’ first asteroid sample but also for the advancements in contamination control and sample documentation.
The landing of OSIRIS-REx in Utah is a significant event for both scientific exploration and the state. It highlights the importance of understanding our cosmic neighborhood and the resources the United States government is dedicating to serve the country.