No 1 Cosmic Secrets: NASA's Asteroid Odyssey

Table of Contents

No 1 Cosmic Secrets: NASA’s Asteroid Odyssey

A Distant Threat

One day, the Earth could face a perilous collision with the asteroid Bennu, capable of unleashing destruction equivalent to 22 atomic bombs. Fortunately, this cataclysmic event is over 150 years away.

A Delicate Extraction

On a recent Sunday, a minute fragment of Bennu safely landed in the Utah desert. This remarkable feat was achieved through NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, a mission known as Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, which embarked on its mission on October 20, 2020.

Unexpected Explosions

Contrary to expectations, OSIRIS-REx’s landing on Bennu turned out to be explosively eventful. While the spacecraft descended at a mere 10cm per second, it created a sizable crater upon impact, ejecting tons of rocks and debris into space. Additionally, the thrusters stirred up particles, momentarily interfering with its instruments. Fortunately, this chaotic operation lasted just 30 seconds, allowing the spacecraft to depart unharmed.

Surprising Insights

OSIRIS-REx’s maneuver, combined with earlier test runs, uncovered unexpected findings about Bennu. Rather than a solid surface with a thin layer of dust and debris, Bennu behaved more like a fluid, defying scientific predictions.

A Journey to Houston

Following its touchdown within the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range, located 70 miles west of Salt Lake City, the spacecraft and its precious samples will be transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Specialized tools, capable of scrutinizing materials finer than a grain of sand, will aid in the analysis.

Cosmic Time Capsule

Scientists are eager to unlock the cosmic secrets held by Bennu, which is believed to be an ancient relic, approximately 4.5 billion years old. This asteroid, like a time capsule, may offer invaluable insights into the formation of the early solar system.

Patient Analysis

NASA’s comprehensive analysis of Bennu is expected to take two years. Fortunately, this timeline affords humanity 157 years of preparation and planning before the potential collision threat becomes imminent.