On Tuesday , NASA ’s OSIRIS - REx performedthe essential goalof its military mission around asteroid Bennu . It aviate down to the surface of the infinite rock-and-roll , briefly touch the soil , and grabbed a sample to finally bring back home to Earth .
The squad is still analyzing the data point to confirm that the sample collection went as expected ; in particular , to get laid if the space vehicle was able to snatch enough soil . While we hold off for those results , some incredible paradigm and videoshave been free . This is our first look at the Touch - And - Go ( TAG ) result .
A TAG outcome has several challenges and OSIRIS - REx was designed and programmed to pilot them autonomously . Luckily , it appear that the team give the spacecraft all the veracious prick to make the first - ever US endeavor to sample an asteroid a success . The TAG Sample Acquisition Mechanism ( TAGSAM ) , the articulated sleeve used by OSIRIS - REx to collect the fabric , touched the soil of the asteroid within 1 m ( 3 feet ) of the target location .
The spacecraft moved at a fastness of about 10 centimetre ( 3.9 in ) per second down to the ground of the asteroid . It seem to crush some porous rocks as it mildly entered the regolith , its soil . One second after touchdown , it released nitrogen at eminent - pressure , pilfer the soil up to be captured . The TAGSAM was in contact with the regolith for about 6 seconds , although most of the collection happened within the first 3 seconds .
Afterward , OSIRIS - REx moved to a secure distance , where it delivered data and these images , assure the mission team that all was well .
The next set of challenges is now underway . The goal of the TAG was to collect at least 60 grams ( 2.1 ounces ) of regolith , although if we ’ve been lucky TAGSAM can carry up to 2 kilo ( 4.5 pounds ) . But how do you weigh thing in space ?
learn on board mass in the anatomy of sampling material will change the ballistic capsule ’s spin .
“ There ’s a proficiency that we call the sample mass measurement where the space vehicle will re - lead the weapon system in a certain position and actually spin around . We look for a change in the second of inactiveness . It has done this prior to TAG , so we make out what the moment of inertia of the space vehicle is prior to TAG , ” Beau Bierhaus , TAGSAM scientist at Lockheed Martin , told IFLScience .
The space vehicle will be soon pirouette again , and the difference in this moment of inertia before and after TAG will tell the team how much mass it has amass .
If TAGSAM has enough regolith inside , the next full-grown escapade is the return home . OSIRIS - REx will pull up stakes Bennu next class and , all going well , the condensation with its treasured load will put down in Utah in September 2023 . Then it will officially become the third spacecraft ever , following the two JapaneseHayabusamissions , to return an asteroid sample to Earth .
