Many samples returned by NASA from the asteroid Bennu cannot be removed because the lids cannot be opened – gigazin

NASA space probeOsiris RexThe number of near-Earth asteroids in 2020 will be.benneThe capsule containing the collected sample was dropped to Earth on September 24, 2023 local time and recovered by NASA. NASA stated that although a certain amount of samples has already been extracted from this capsule, much of it cannot be extracted because the lid of the container containing the sample cannot be opened.

NASA OSIRIS-REx achieves an important cluster prototype – the OSIRIS-REx mission
https://blogs.nasa.gov/osiris-rex/2023/10/20/nasas-osiris-rex-achieves-sample-mass-milestone/

Oh no! Apparently NASA can’t take the lid off its priceless asteroid sample: ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/oh-no-nasa-cant-seem-to-get-the-lid-off-its-priceless-asteroid-sample

NASA was prevented from obtaining an OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample due to defective stabilizers Live sciences
https://www.livescience.com/space/asteroids/nasa-is-locked-out-of-its-osiris-rex-asteroid-sample-because-of-2-faulty-fasteners

Osiris Rex is the American versionHayabusaIt is a space probe also known asSample returnDeveloped for Purpose Osiris-Rex entered Bennu’s orbit in 2018 and successfully collected samples from Bennu’s surface in 2020. A capsule containing a sample was dropped to Earth on September 24, 2023, and NASA safely delivered the capsule.I collected it.

To collect samples from Bennu, a device called the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) was used attached to the tip of Osiris-Rex’s robotic arm. Osiris Rex extends its robotic arm, and when the tagsam comes into contact with Bennu’s surface, it injects nitrogen gas and traps the volatiles inside the container. You can see how Osiris Rex collects Bennu samples using TAGSAM by watching the video below.

OSIRIS-REx sample collection at asteroid Bennu: SamCam view of TAGSAM – YouTube

The goal of this mission was to collect a total of 60 grams of samples, but because the amount of material ejected by the nitrogen jet was greater than expected, the sample collected was estimated at 250 grams. The capsule is inflated with nitrogen, an inert gas, to prevent contamination.Nitrogen purgeProcedures were implemented to minimize contamination during sample collection.Glove boxIt must be used.

However, NASA said in an October 20 blog post that it found that two of the 35 fasteners on TAGSAM’s sampling head could not be removed using tools approved for use in the Osiris-Rex glove box.

Combining what was already attached to the outside of the sampler head and what was removed using the forceps and endoscope inserted through the gap in the sampler head, we recovered 70.3 grams of sample, exceeding our initial goal. However, more than half of the sample is still trapped inside the sampler’s head, so NASA plans to move forward with developing new procedures to retrieve the remaining sample.

The images below are some of the specimens already recovered from Osiris Rex. NASA will provide 25% of the Bennu samples returned by the Osiris-Rex probe to more than 200 researchers at various research facilities, and 4% toCanadian Space Agency0.5% toJAXAWe plan to submit it to

In addition, analysis of samples already collected from the capsule revealed that it contained abundant organic materials, including carbon and water molecules, as well as compounds such as iron sulfide and iron oxide.it is clear.