2023-10-26 08:51:42
The sample capsule containing the Bennu asteroid fragments landed on Earth from outer space at the end of September. Preliminary analysis showed that it contained evidence of large amounts of carbon and water-containing clay minerals, so scientists are fully looking forward to more unboxing results. But in fact, NASA has not yet opened the sealed main collector, and most of the precious samples are still tightly locked. OSIRIS-REx is NASA’s first asteroid research and sampling return mission. Its goal is to use a stream of compressed nitrogen to absorb dust, pebbles and other surface materials following descending to the surface of Bennu asteroid (asteroid 101955). The “Touch-and-Go Sample Collection Mechanism” (TAGSAM) sampling system is used to preserve and bring it back to Earth to help us further understand the formation and evolution of the solar system and the sources of organic compounds that form life on Earth. Advertisement (Please continue reading this article) After seven years of flight, when the Osiris flew by the Earth on September 24 this year (US Eastern Time), it took the opportunity to release the 81-centimeter-wide sample capsule and return it to the Earth. NASA successfully retrieved the spacecraft containing the The sample recovery system for rock samples conducts a “quick inspection” of the broken rocks scattered on the top of the container, including collecting photos with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared measurements, X-ray diffraction, chemical element analysis, etc. The results indicate that this type of asteroid It has nearly 5% carbon content and is rich in hydrated clay minerals. However, the research has been hindered here because NASA has been unable to open the main collector. Advertisement (Please continue reading this article) Although the NASA team has unscrewed 35 bolts on the TAGSAM mechanism following multiple disassembly attempts, two were particularly stubborn and might not be removed using the tools currently approved for use on OSIRIS; in other words , the preliminary samples collected and analyzed by scientists a few days ago are only materials taken from the outside of the sample cabin (and some bulk materials inside). NASA is working hard to develop new methods to undo the last two bolts without compromising the integrity of the sample. The good news is that NASA originally only hoped to collect 60 grams of material from the Bennu asteroid, but the material collected from the outside of the sampling container alone was regarding 70.3 grams, exceeding the mission target. After Osiris collected samples in 2020, NASA reported that it was difficult to close the TAGSAM lid tightly. It is not difficult to imagine how many amazing discoveries will be made when the sampling container is unsealed. (Source of the first picture: NASA) Join the official LINE account of “Science and Technology News” immediately to master all-round new knowledge of the technology industry at one hand!
1698483219
#Embarrassing #NASA #open #system #seals #large #number #samples #Bennu #asteroid #Science #Technology #News #LINE #TODAY
© 2024 All rights reserved