A view of 8 pattern trays containing the overall subject material from asteroid Bennu. The mud and rocks had been poured into the trays from the highest plate of the Contact-and-Move Pattern Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head. 51.2 grams had been amassed from this pour, bringing the overall mass of asteroid pattern to 121.6 grams. Credit score: NASA/Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph AebersoldNASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft delivered an unheard of 4.29 oz of asteroid Bennu subject material to Earth, surpassing its challenge targets. In spite of preliminary demanding situations, the pattern used to be effectively secured for long term clinical analysis, making sure a legacy of world collaboration and learn about of the sun machine’s origins.NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft delivered 4.29 oz (121.6 grams) of subject material from asteroid Bennu when it returned to Earth on September 24, 2023; the biggest asteroid pattern ever amassed in house and over two times the challenge’s requirement.Exceeding Expectancies Early OnThe challenge crew wanted no less than 60 grams of subject material to satisfy the challenge’s science targets, an quantity that had already been exceeded prior to the Contact-and-Move Pattern Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head used to be utterly opened. In October 2023, curation processors from the Astromaterials Analysis and Exploration Science (ARES) department at NASA’s Johnson Area Middle in Houston had been in a position to gather small rocks and dirt from within the huge canister that housed the TAGSAM head, in addition to from within the TAGSAM head itself throughout the head’s mylar flap.
OSIRIS-REx astromaterials processors, from left, Rachel Funk, Julia Plummer, and Jannatul Ferdous get ready to raise the highest plate of the Contact-and-Move Pattern Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head and pour the overall portion of asteroid rocks and dirt into pattern trays under. Credit score: NASA/Robert MarkowitzOvercoming ChallengesDisassembly of the TAGSAM head used to be paused in overdue October 2023, when the crew encountered two cussed fasteners preserving them from with the ability to entire the method to expose the overall pattern inside.After designing, generating, and trying out new gear, the ARES curation engineers effectively got rid of the fasteners in January and finished disassembly of the TAGSAM head. The rest Bennu pattern used to be printed and in moderation poured into wedge-shaped boxes. 1.81 oz (51.2 grams) had been amassed from this pour. Mixed with the prior to now measured 2.48 oz (70.3 grams) and further debris amassed out of doors of the pour, the majority Bennu pattern mass totals 4.29 oz (121.6 grams).Securing a Legacy for Long run ResearchNASA will maintain no less than 70% of the pattern at Johnson for additional analysis by way of scientists international, together with long term generations.From NASA Johnson’s repository, the Bennu subject material will probably be containerized and disbursed for researchers to review. As a part of the OSIRIS-REx challenge, a cohort of greater than 200 scientists all over the world will discover the regolith’s homes, together with researchers from many US establishments, NASA companions JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Company) and CSA (Canadian Area Company), and extra.Later this spring, the curation crew will liberate a catalog of the OSIRIS-REx samples, which can make the asteroid pattern to be had for request by way of the worldwide clinical neighborhood.
