After seven years of expedition and logging over 6.2 billion km, mothership Osiris-Rex has succesfully delivered rubble from an asteroid, Bennu, situated at such a distance from Earth that it is believed to come ‘dagerously close’ to the planet by next century which may lead to a possible collision. The capsule which brought the sample holds 250 g of material, however, the exact weight will be known in few weeks after precise measurement.
It is the first time that NASA carried out a mission to bring back sample from an asteroid. Earlier, the US space agency sent spacecrafts to collect samples of the solar wind in 2004 and comet dust in 2006.
The study of Bennu’s sample will enable scientists to find out the origin of Sun and other planets and understand how life formed on Earth. After dropping off the Bennu sample, Osiris-Rex headed for another asteroid Apophis and it is expected to reach there in 2029. The study of these ateroids will also help scientists to find out ways to deflect them from hitting the Earth.
The container will be opened in next day or two with a public view.
