NASA is embarking on an ambitious mission to bring pieces of an asteroid back to Earth in order to gain a deeper understanding of its composition. The target asteroid, named Bennu, has been closely monitored by scientists due to its proximity to Earth. NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was launched in 2016 to orbit around Bennu and collect samples.

Dropping samples into the Utah desert

After years of planning and preparation, the much-anticipated moment is almost here. On September 24, the samples collected by OSIRIS-REx will be dropped into the Utah desert. However, before the capsule is released, a team of scientists will meticulously assess whether it is safe to proceed.

A high-speed journey to Earth

Once the sample capsule is released, it will embark on an intense, four-hour journey through space, hurtling towards Earth at astonishingly fast speeds. The arrival of the capsule is eagerly awaited by the scientific community, as it holds valuable information about the composition of Bennu.

Seeking answers about asteroids

Bennu, which currently resides approximately 31 million miles from Earth, measures around 1600 feet in length. Scientists are especially interested in studying asteroids like Bennu because they believe these celestial bodies hold crucial clues about the early solar system and the origins of life on Earth.

Scientists suspect that organic materials, such as organic molecules, can be found within the asteroid samples. These organic molecules could shed light on the organics present in the early solar system that may have played a role in the development of life on Earth.

Comparing asteroid samples

In their quest for knowledge, NASA scientists are not alone. Japan has also sent a spacecraft to study an asteroid and its material. The NASA team hopes that by comparing the asteroid dust from Bennu with that of the Japanese mission, they can acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the history and diversity of the solar system.

Michelle Thompson, an OSIRIS-REx scientist from Purdue University in Indiana, explained the significance of studying multiple asteroids: "Going to more than one different asteroid really opens up a whole new world to really understand the diversity of material that was around 4.5 billion years ago," which is the approximate age of the solar system.