NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has made a groundbreaking discovery with their initial analysis of the asteroid Bennu sample brought back to Earth. The sample, which is estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old, has shown evidence of high-carbon content and water, suggesting the presence of the building blocks of life on Earth within the asteroid.
The announcement was made by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. He expressed excitement over the potential implications of the discovery, stating that the sample could help scientists investigate the origins of life on our planet for generations to come. Nelson emphasized that NASA’s missions, such as OSIRIS-REx, not only enhance our understanding of asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth but also offer glimpses into the mysteries of the universe.
While more research is needed to fully understand the nature of the carbon compounds found, this initial finding holds promise for future analyses of the Bennu sample. Scientists anticipate that studying the secrets preserved within the rocks and dust from the asteroid will provide insights into the formation of our solar system, the seeding of precursor materials to life on Earth, and necessary precautions to prevent asteroid collisions with our planet.
Additionally, the OSIRIS-REx mission exceeded expectations by collecting a bonus amount of asteroid material. Curation experts at NASA Johnson have been carefully disassembling the hardware used to obtain a glimpse of the bulk sample within. The discovery of extra asteroid material on the collector head, canister lid, and base slowed down the process of collecting and containing the primary sample due to its abundance.
Vanessa Wyche, director at NASA Johnson, highlighted the development of specialized gloveboxes and tools that kept the asteroid material pristine, allowing for the meticulous preservation and curation of the samples. Researchers have performed initial analyses of the bonus material, utilizing techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, infrared measurements, X-ray diffraction, and chemical element analysis. The observations have confirmed the presence of abundant carbon and water in the sample.
Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator from the University of Arizona, Tucson, emphasized the significance of these findings in unraveling the origins of our solar system. Lauretta referred to the sample as a time capsule that provides profound insights into our cosmic heritage and the potential beginnings of life. He expressed excitement about the journey of discovery and collaboration with scientists worldwide to explore the properties of the Bennu regolith.
Over the next two years, the mission’s science team will conduct further analyses and characterizations of the samples to meet the mission’s science objectives. NASA plans to preserve at least 70% of the sample at Johnson for future research by scientists from around the world. A cohort of over 200 scientists, including researchers from NASA’s international partners JAXA and CSA, will participate in in-depth investigations of the sample’s properties. Additionally, selected samples will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, Space Center Houston, and the University of Arizona.
The OSIRIS-REx mission, managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, is part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program. The Goddard Space Flight Center provides overall mission management, and Lockheed Martin Space built the spacecraft and was responsible for its operations. The mission’s navigation was carried out by Goddard and KinetX Aerospace. Curation of the samples is currently taking place at NASA Johnson.
This groundbreaking discovery by the OSIRIS-REx mission brings us one step closer to understanding the origins of life on Earth and the mysteries of our cosmic heritage. The asteroid Bennu sample holds the promise of providing valuable insights into our solar system’s formation and the potential for extraterrestrial life. With further research and collaboration, scientists hope to unlock more of the ancient secrets preserved within this cosmic time capsule.