An important milestone in space exploration is happening in Utah’s vast western desert.guided by NASAA team of scientists and engineers is preparing for a momentous event scheduled for September: the return of Osiris-Rex and the first-ever U.S. asteroid sample to Earth.
In the countdown to this monumental event, an important test took place on Wednesday. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mockup (Provenance, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer) A sample capsule fell from an aircraft.
capsule successfully descended to a designated drop zone at the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range. The location is a desert area near Salt Lake City. This important test was the final rehearsal before the actual asteroid sample from Bennu lands on September 24th. OSIRIS-REx took samples almost three years ago.
Nicola Fox, deputy administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington, spoke of the significance of the event. She said: “We are just weeks away from receiving a piece of the history of our solar system on Earth, and this successful drop test confirms it is ready. The primordial material will help us understand the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago, and perhaps even how life on Earth began.”
Bringing asteroid samples safely back to Earth
It is worth noting that rehearsals in addition to this drop test were conducted as the capsule’s arrival neared. Throughout the spring and summer, the team held various preparatory practices.these are included capsule recovery, spacecraft engineering operations, and sample curation procedures. With less than a month left until the main event, the OSIRIS-REx team is completing these preparatory steps and getting ready for the real thing.
Dante Lauretta, Principal Investigator of OSIRIS-REx University of Arizona TucsonHe commented on the thorough foundation work being done. “I am extremely proud of the effort our team has put into this effort,” he said. “Just as careful planning and rehearsals got us ready to collect samples from Bennu, we I honed my retrieval skills.”
This is more than just a sample. The capsule is expected to carry 8.8 ounces of rocky material extracted from the asteroid Bennu in 2020.
Researchers plan to thoroughly explore this rocky treasure over the next few years. Scientists aim to decipher clues about the origins of our planet, the complexity of our solar system, and potentially the emergence of life on Earth.
How to watch Osiris-Rex land
For space enthusiasts who want to witness this historic event, the capsule is scheduled to enter Earth’s atmosphere on September 24, 2023 at a breakneck speed of approximately 27,650 miles per hour. For those who want to watch the action live, NASA will broadcast the landing starting at 10 a.m. ET on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the internet. Official website.
Rich Burns, OSIRIS-REx project manager at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, likened the mission to a marathon. “We are now in the final stages of this seven-year journey, much like the last few miles of a marathon, mixed with emotions such as pride and joy, and a strong sense of focus to finish the race. coexist,” he said. good. “
Once secured, the capsule will be transported to a temporary clean room at a military training range. There, it will undergo a series of initial processing steps and disassembly before being prepared for its journey to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. In Houston, researchers will document, preserve and eventually distribute the precious samples to scientists around the world for detailed analysis.
Contains potential risks
The return of asteroid samples to Earth by the OSIRIS-REx mission has immense scientific potential. But there are also concerns among certain segments of the population. The main reasons for these concerns are:
Potential biohazard of asteroid samples
One of the main concerns concerns the possibility, although unlikely, that asteroid samples may contain extraterrestrial microorganisms or substances harmful to life on Earth.
If such organisms exist and are accidentally introduced into our environment, the consequences are unpredictable. This concern reflects concerns that some had at the time. apollo astronaut I’m back from the moon. Ultimately, this resulted in them being quarantined upon their return.
Sample containment
Closely related to biohazard concerns are concerns about the integrity of the sample return capsule. If the capsule were to rupture during re-entry or landing, asteroid material could be released into the Earth’s environment.
impact risk
Although the sample capsule is relatively small and designed for controlled re-entry, there is always a slight risk associated with any object re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Accidents can happen, even if they are unlikely.
Precedent for future missions
Several concerns arise from a broader perspective regarding space exploration. If we start taking samples from different celestial bodies on a regular basis, each collection poses its own risks. Setting a precedent with OSIRIS-REx could accelerate the pursuit of similar missions without sufficient public understanding and discussion.
resource allocation
While there are no concerns about sample return per se, some have questioned the allocation of resources for such a mission. They argue that the money spent on OSIRIS-REx could be used for other pressing issues on Earth or for other space projects deemed more important.
environmental concerns
Space missions always impact the environment. These range from the launch vehicle’s exhaust fumes to potential disruption at the location chosen for the landing of the return capsule. As space missions become more frequent, some worry about the cumulative impact of these activities.
It is noteworthy that NASA and its partners have carefully considered and planned for these concerns. For example, the OSIRIS-REx sample capsule employs stringent containment protocols to ensure both sample purity and environmental safety.
Similarly, extensive risk assessment and mitigation strategies are in place at all stages of the mission. The goal is to maximize scientific benefit while minimizing potential risks.
OSIRIS-Rex mission details
Always at the forefront of space exploration, NASA has launched a groundbreaking mission called OSIRIS-REx. The name of this mission stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security – Regolith Explorer. This mission not only pushed the boundaries of our understanding of asteroids, but also showed how humans might be able to interact with these objects in the future.
Launch and purpose
On September 8, 2016, NASA launched the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft with a bold purpose. The goal is to reach the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, study it in detail, and return samples to Earth. The mission aims to answer fundamental questions about the birth of the solar system and the origin of life on Earth.
Asteroids are remnants of the solar system’s formation and contain organic molecules, water, and minerals. By studying these building blocks, scientists hope to piece together the story of our universe’s beginnings.
Journey to Bennes
Osiris-Rex traveled for two years, covering more than 1 billion miles, before rendezvousing with Bennu in December 2018. At this stage, the spacecraft performed a series of maneuvers and Earth gravity assists to align its orbit with Bennu’s.
Detailed study of asteroids
Once the goal was reached, OSIRIS-REx began a thorough inspection. It mapped the entire asteroid, determined its chemical composition and recorded its physical properties. This rigorous study served her two main purposes: scientific understanding and site selection for sample collection.
Touch and Go (TAG) sample collection
In October 2020, OSIRIS-REx made history. The spacecraft briefly contacted the asteroid’s surface and collected samples using a touch-and-go sample collection mechanism (TAGSAM). The maneuver, known as a “touch and go” (TAG) maneuver, lasted only 16 seconds, but was the culmination of years of planning.
Return asteroid samples to Earth
Once the samples are safely stored, the next phase of the mission begins: the return to Earth. Osiris-Rex is scheduled to depart Bennu in 2021 and deliver its precious cargo to Earth in 2023. Once the sample capsule lands in the Utah desert, the team plans to transport it to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for analysis.
The significance of the mission
OSIRIS-REx’s mission is about more than collecting samples. Demonstrates detailed reconnaissance capabilities of any celestial body. It also lays the foundation for future missions such as asteroid mining and planetary defense strategies against potentially dangerous asteroids. Finally, OSIRIS-REx provides insight into the early solar system and the factors that may have brought life to Earth.
In summary, the Osiris-Rex mission represents a monumental step in the quest to understand our place in the universe. Through trips to and from Bennu, NASA not only showcases human ingenuity, but also brings parts of the universe closer to us and inspires our fascination with and respect for the vast world beyond Earth. Masu.
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