NASA'a OSIRIS-Rex stows 2 pounds of collected sample into earth bound capsule

NASA’s Osiris-Rex craft has tucked more than two pounds of asteroid samples into a capsule for return to Earth after losing some of its precious loot because of a jammed lid, scientists said on October 29.  However, precise amount of asteroid dust hauled by craft would t be kwn until capsule lands on Earth in 2023. craft, launched in 2016, travelled more than 200 miles to obtain sample from asteroid Bennu and is set to return in September 2024.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do” to get samples back safely, lead scientist Dante Lauretta of University of Arizona was quote as saying by associated press. Based on ims relayed by craft, scientists believe that it has hauled over four and a half-pound of rubble, a more than minimum requirement of two ounces.

Cosmic leak

mission has been in headlines in recent weeks because of a leak that was constantly releasing collected sample in . However, NASA informed that its robotic was able to stow a rock and dust sample scooped up from asteroid to a safer compartment. In a press release on October 30, US ncy said that mission team spent two days working around clock to carry out stow procedure. . sample of Benn is currently safely stored and ready for its journey to Earth. w, OSIRIS-REx will focus on preparing craft for next mission - Earth Return Cruise. As per press te, departure window open in March 2021 for OSIRIS-REx to begin its voy home, and craft is targeting delivery of SRC to Earth on Sep. 24, 2023.

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About Asteroid Bennu

Bennu was once part of a much larger parent body in main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter, CNN reported quoting scientists. However, after parent asteroid collided, Bennu broke off, shifting to an orbit closer to Earth.

Read: NASA craft OSIRIS-REx Successfully Stows Rock And Dust Sample From Asteroid Bennu

Read: Asteroid Bennu Has Been In Earth's Vicinity For 1.75 Million Years: New Study

All im Credits: NASA