NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu has left scientists in awe with an unexpected abundance of dusty material to analyze. The team used the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) to collect samples from Bennu’s surface, which were recently delivered to Earth after a seven-year mission.
However, the initial sample curation is progressing slower than anticipated due to the large amount of Bennu dust coating both the inside of the sample canister and the outside of the TAGSAM head. The oversupply of material has made the disassembly process more challenging than expected, but NASA’s deputy OSIRIS-REx curation lead, Christopher Snead, sees this as a positive “problem.”
Snead expressed excitement about the unexpected abundance, stating, “The very best ‘problem’ to have is that there is so much material, it’s taking longer than we expected to collect it. There’s a lot of abundant material outside the TAGSAM head that’s interesting in its own right. It’s really spectacular to have all that material there.”
While most of the sample is contained within the sealed TAGSAM head, scientists had observed dust particles leaking from it three years ago, leading them to anticipate some dust in the canister upon retrieval. However, the quantity they found exceeded expectations. NASA scientists have begun performing an initial quick analysis to determine the composition of Bennu, providing a foundation for future in-depth research on the asteroid.
The analysis includes various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, infrared measurements, and X-ray diffraction. To share their preliminary findings and unveil the first images of the sample, NASA will hold a press conference on October 11 at 11:00 ET. Although detailed scientific insights are not expected at this time, the announcement is anticipated to reveal key information about the small, carbon-rich asteroid and its significance in understanding the formation of the Solar System.
While approximately 250 grams of Bennu dust remains inside the TAGSAM head, NASA acknowledges that it will take additional time to safely open and retrieve the bulk sample. In the forthcoming weeks, the container will be transferred to a specialized glove box for the completion of the disassembly process.
The unexpected wealth of asteroid dirt has left scientists eagerly awaiting the full analysis of Bennu’s composition, providing new insights into the mysteries of our Solar System’s origins.