Posts Tagged: asteroid
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission collected more Bennu asteroid samples than first thought
NASA has revealed that it has already processed 70.3 grams of rocks and dust collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission from asteroid Bennu. That means the mission has way exceeded its goal of bringing 60 grams of asteroid samples back to Earth — especially since NASA scientists have yet to open the primary sample container that made its way back to our planet in September. Apparently, they're struggling to open the mission's Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) and could not remove two of its 35 fasteners using the tools currently available to them.
The scientists are processing the samples inside a specialized glovebox (pictured above) with a flow of nitrogen in order to keep them from being exposed to our atmosphere and any contaminants. They can't just use any implement to break the container's fasteners open either: The tool must fit inside the glovebox, and it also must not compromise the samples' integrity. NASA has sealed the primary container sample for now, while it's developing the procedure to be able to open it over the next few weeks.
If you're wondering where the 70.3 grams of rocks and dust came from, well, NASA collected part of it from the external sample receptacle but outside TAGSAM itself. It also includes a small portion of the samples inside TAGSAM, taken by holding down its mylar flap and reaching inside with tweezers or a scoop. NASA's initial analysis of the material published earlier this month said it showed evidence of high carbon content and water, and further studies could help us understand how life on Earth began. The agency plans to continue analyzing and "characterizing" the rocks and dust it has already taken from the sample container, so we may hear more details about the samples even while TAGSAM remains sealed.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nasas-osiris-rex-mission-collected-more-bennu-asteroid-samples-than-first-thought-083605172.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
NASA’s DART asteroid impact test left a trail over 6,000 miles long
NASA's successful asteroid impact test created a beautiful mess, apparently. As the Associated Press reports, astronomers using the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope in Chile have captured an image revealing that DART's collision with Dimorphos left a trail of dust and other debris measuring over 6,000 miles long. The spacecraft wasn't solely responsible — rather, the Sun's radiation pressure pushed the material away like it would with a comet's tail.
The trail is only likely to get larger, according to the researchers. It should eventually stretch to the point where the dust stream is virtually unrecognizable from the usual particles floating in the Solar System. NASA didn't create headaches for future probes and explorers. The space agency chose Dimorphos (a moonlet of the asteroid Didymos) as the deliberate crash wouldn't pose a threat to Earth.
The capture was about more than obtaining a dramatic snapshot, of course. Scientists will use data collected using SOAR, the Astronomical Event Observatory Network and other observers to understand more about the collision and Dimorphos itself. They'll determine the amount and speed of material ejected from the asteroid, and whether or not DART produced large debris chunks or 'merely' fine dust. Those will help understand how spacecraft can alter an asteroid's orbit, and potentially improve Earth's defenses against wayward cosmic rocks.
JAXA shows the sub-surface samples it collected from asteroid Ryugu
Shortly after Japan's Hayabusa2 probe returned to Earth, JAXA showed off some of the samples it collected from asteroid Ryugu. Those rocks came from the “A” chamber of the probe’s sample capsule, which means they were collected during the mission’s f…
Engadget
NASA’s Psyche asteroid mission will use a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket
Engadget RSS Feed
NASA reveals Bennu asteroid is spewing particles into space
Engadget RSS Feed
Japan’s Hayabusa2 lands on asteroid Ryugu to collect samples
Engadget RSS Feed
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx has started orbiting asteroid Bennu
Engadget RSS Feed
Top European scientists want to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid — again
This week European scientists launched the “I Support AIM” campaign — an initiative to urge the European Space Agency (ESA) to move forward with its Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) in 2020. Over 100 scientists have signed on.
The post Top European scientists want to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid — again appeared first on Digital Trends.
A NASA probe is headed to a nearby asteroid, and will bring part of it back to Earth
The OSIRIS-REx mission is heading to the asteroid Bennu, and in July 2020 would scoop up some asteroid dust to be returned to earth three years later. The hope is to understand more about the formation of the solar system.
The post A NASA probe is headed to a nearby asteroid, and will bring part of it back to Earth appeared first on Digital Trends.
Planetary Resources plans to launch Earth-observing satellites as a precursor to asteroid mining ops
Planetary Resources has big plans for the future, but those plans now include an Earth-observing satellite network and not the highly entertaining idea of space selfies. This turnaround is driven partially by finances with the company receiving $ 21.1 million in funding for its satellite network.
The post Planetary Resources plans to launch Earth-observing satellites as a precursor to asteroid mining ops appeared first on Digital Trends.