A spacecraft is on its way back to Earth after an incredible seven-year journey in space, bringing with it something truly special. This mission could help us understand the chemistry that played a role in the formation of our planet. Scientists are eagerly preparing for this event, practicing every detail of how they will handle NASA’s first mission to bring back samples from an asteroid.
On September 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is set to return to Earth, delivering a capsule filled with material from the asteroid Bennu. The capsule will be closely monitored using infrared imaging and tracking systems. The landing zone is quite large, providing a safety buffer even if the capsule doesn’t land exactly in the center.
The OSIRIS-REx mission, which launched in 2016, set out to explore Bennu, an asteroid that has intrigued scientists for years. This mission is NASA’s largest sample collection effort since the Apollo missions, aiming to uncover Bennu’s composition. Bennu is like a time capsule, holding untouched material from over four and a half billion years ago. It drifted from the asteroid belt toward the sun millions of years ago.
Bennu is one of the darkest objects in our solar system, likely covered with carbon and organic materials, which are the building blocks of life. Studying Bennu could provide clues about how life began on Earth. Additionally, Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid, which raises questions about planetary defense. Although there’s less than a one percent chance of it hitting Earth, understanding Bennu helps us prepare for potential future threats.
There are over a million asteroids in our solar system, with tens of thousands classified as near-Earth objects. These asteroids hold valuable information about how our solar system formed. After its launch, OSIRIS-REx completed a full orbit around the Sun and used Earth’s gravity to reach Bennu. Upon arrival, the spacecraft found a small celestial body, only 500 meters across.
The first images of Bennu revealed massive rocky boulders, prompting the team to spend months mapping the asteroid to find a safe spot for sample collection. OSIRIS-REx set two Guinness World Records: one for orbiting the smallest body ever and another for the closest orbit of a spacecraft to a planetary body.
The spacecraft’s instruments identified several potential sampling sites, including one named Nightingale. Observations showed particles being ejected from Bennu, raising questions about its composition. Some bright rocks on Bennu’s surface came from a different asteroid, suggesting Bennu is a fragment of a larger celestial body.
After a year of observing Bennu, the spacecraft moved in to collect samples. OSIRIS-REx is equipped with an autonomous visual recognition system, allowing it to navigate with precision. The landing sequence is quick, reducing the chances of any issues.
Images sent back to NASA confirmed that OSIRIS-REx collected more samples than expected. Ground control carefully secured the sample collection container. After months of preparation, the spacecraft began its journey back to Earth in May 2021.
On September 24, 2023, the sample return capsule will enter Earth’s atmosphere and land by parachute in the Utah desert. Various teams will track the capsule and ensure the samples remain uncontaminated. Once recovered, the capsule will be taken to a clean room in Utah, where the samples will be carefully handled and analyzed.
The analysis will involve new techniques and custom cameras to study the samples, potentially revealing insights into the early solar system and the chemistry that led to life on Earth. Initial analysis will take about two years, but most of the samples will be archived for future research.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has already achieved significant breakthroughs and set records, capturing images of an asteroid in space better than any previous missions. The samples collected may uncover new secrets about the formation of planets and the origins of life.
Research the key events of the OSIRIS-REx mission from its launch in 2016 to its return in 2023. Create a timeline that highlights these events, including the launch, arrival at Bennu, sample collection, and return to Earth. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually engaging.
Using materials like cardboard, paper, and other craft supplies, design a model of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Pay attention to the details of its instruments and sampling arm. Present your model to the class and explain how each part of the spacecraft contributed to the mission’s success.
In groups, simulate the sample collection process using a sandbox to represent the asteroid Bennu. Use tools to mimic the spacecraft’s sampling arm and practice collecting “samples” (small objects or materials). Discuss the challenges faced during the actual mission and how they were overcome.
Choose a topic related to asteroids, such as their role in the solar system, the potential threat they pose to Earth, or the importance of planetary defense. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, including how missions like OSIRIS-REx contribute to our understanding and safety.
Investigate why Bennu’s composition is significant for understanding the origins of life on Earth. Write a short essay or create a video explaining how the organic materials found on Bennu could provide insights into the early solar system and the building blocks of life.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
A spacecraft is heading back to Earth after a mission in space lasting over seven years, bringing back something extraordinary. This could provide a new understanding of the chemistry involved in Earth’s formation. Scientists are preparing for a very special event, practicing every detail of how they will handle NASA’s first sample return mission from an asteroid.
On September 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to reach Earth, dropping off a capsule containing material from the asteroid Bennu. The capsule will be monitored by various assets, including infrared imaging and tracking. The landing area is generous, allowing for a safety zone even if the capsule doesn’t hit the center.
As the days count down to re-entry and landing in the Utah desert, excitement builds. The OSIRIS-REx mission, launched in 2016, aimed to explore Bennu, and scientists faced numerous challenges along the way. This mission is the largest sampling effort NASA has undertaken since the Apollo missions, aiming to determine Bennu’s composition.
Bennu is a time capsule containing pristine material that has remained untouched for over four and a half billion years. It left the asteroid belt millions of years ago and drifted toward the sun. Bennu is particularly interesting because it is one of the darkest objects in the solar system, likely covered with carbon material and organics, which are the building blocks of life. Studying Bennu may provide clues about the origins of life on Earth.
Additionally, Bennu is classified as a near-Earth asteroid, which raises important questions about planetary defense. Although NASA estimates it has less than a one percent chance of hitting Earth, the mission aims to enhance our understanding of how to protect ourselves if necessary.
There are over one million asteroids in our solar system, with tens of thousands classified as near-Earth objects. These asteroids contain valuable information about the formation of our solar system. After launch, OSIRIS-REx completed a full revolution around the Sun and used Earth’s gravity to reach Bennu. Upon arrival, the spacecraft discovered a celestial body only 500 meters across.
The mission’s first images revealed massive rocky boulders, leading the team to spend months mapping the asteroid to find a safe landing spot for sample collection. OSIRIS-REx set two Guinness World Records: one for orbiting the smallest body ever and another for the closest orbit of a spacecraft to a planetary body.
The spacecraft’s instruments identified several potential sampling sites, one of which was named Nightingale. Observations showed particles being ejected from Bennu, raising questions about its composition and the processes at play. This close examination revealed that some bright rocks on Bennu’s surface originated from a different asteroid, indicating that Bennu is a fragment of a larger celestial body.
After a year of observing Bennu, the spacecraft moved to collect samples. OSIRIS-REx is equipped with an autonomous visual recognition system, allowing it to navigate with precision. The landing sequence is quick, minimizing the chances of mishaps.
Images sent back to NASA confirmed that OSIRIS-REx collected a larger sample than expected. Ground control undertook the risky stowage phase to secure the sample collection container. Months of preparation culminated in the sample collection, and the spacecraft began its return to Earth in May 2021.
On September 24, 2023, the sample return capsule will enter Earth’s atmosphere and land by parachute in the Utah desert. Various teams are responsible for tracking the capsule and ensuring the samples remain uncontaminated. Once recovered, the capsule will be taken to a clean room in Utah, where the samples will be carefully handled and analyzed.
The analysis will involve new techniques and custom cameras to study the samples, which may provide insights into the early solar system and the chemistry that led to life on Earth. Initial analysis will take about two years, but the majority of the samples will be archived for future research.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has already achieved significant breakthroughs and set records, capturing images of an asteroid in space better than any previous missions. The samples collected may reveal new secrets about the formation of planets and the origins of life.
—
This version removes any unnecessary filler words and phrases while maintaining the essential information from the original transcript.
Spacecraft – A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space. – The spacecraft was launched to explore the distant planets in our solar system.
Asteroid – A small rocky body orbiting the sun, mostly found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. – Scientists are studying an asteroid to learn more about the early solar system.
Samples – Small parts or quantities intended to show what the whole is like, often used in scientific research. – The mission collected samples from the asteroid’s surface to analyze its composition.
Chemistry – The branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed, their properties, and reactions. – Understanding the chemistry of stars helps astronomers learn about their life cycles.
Solar – Relating to or determined by the sun. – Solar panels on the spacecraft provide it with energy from the sun.
System – A set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular. – The solar system consists of the sun and all the celestial bodies that orbit it.
Bennu – An asteroid that is the target of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to collect samples. – The spacecraft successfully landed on Bennu to gather material for study.
Mission – An important assignment carried out for scientific or exploratory purposes. – The mission to Mars aims to search for signs of past life on the planet.
Analysis – The detailed examination of the elements or structure of something. – The analysis of the asteroid samples will help scientists understand its origins.
Life – The existence of living organisms, especially in a particular environment. – Scientists are searching for signs of life on other planets in the galaxy.
