Title: “NASA Overcomes Obstacles to Unlock Clues About Asteroid Bennu”
Opening the sample container of asteroid Bennu has proven to be the most challenging part of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. In a significant setback, two stubborn fasteners prevented access to the bulk of the material collected from this fascinating celestial body.
Dubbed TAGSAM, the sample container had outer material collected but kept its inner contents locked away. To prevent contamination, the TAGSAM has been stored in a special glovebox. However, the existing tools onboard the spacecraft were ineffective in removing these stubborn fasteners, requiring the team to develop new tools.
The design of the new tools presented a unique challenge as they needed to fit within the confinements of the glovebox. The tools had to be limited in height, weight, and potential arc movement. Dr. Nicole Lunning, an OSIRIS-REx curator, emphasized this design challenge, explaining the need to use approved materials and work in a confined space.
After careful planning and execution, the team successfully freed the head of TAGSAM, allowing them to proceed with disassembling the container. This exciting step will finally reveal the long-awaited contents of the sample container, providing valuable insights into the composition of asteroid Bennu.
Even prior to opening the container, NASA’s preliminary assessment of dust and rocks from outside the TAGSAM has yielded promising results. Evidence of carbon and water has already been detected within the sample, offering an exciting glimpse into the rich composition of this ancient space rock.
As the disassembly continues, scientists and researchers eagerly await the discovery of additional clues locked away inside the sample container. Unraveling the secrets of asteroid Bennu is not only a milestone for space exploration but also a key step in understanding the origins of our solar system.
Stay tuned for more updates as NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery, one fastener at a time.
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