[ad_1]
The sample taken from the asteroid Bennu by NASA’s “Osiris Rex” probe during a maneuver on Wednesday night met the minimum requirement of 60 grams of material. It should be sent back to Earth in about three years.
(dpa)
The sample taken from the asteroid Bennu by NASA’s “Osiris Rex” probe is sufficient according to the initial findings. The recordings showed that the minimum requirement of 60 grams of dust and debris had been met, the US space agency Nasa announced Saturday night. According to the pictures, there is so much that the lid of the collecting container opens easily with larger stones. Therefore, the focus is now on storing the sample safely.
On Saturday, NASA said that the sample taken from the asteroid had reached the minimum of 60 grams.
“Bennu continues to surprise us with great science, and also with some obstacles,” said NASA manager Thomas Zurbuchen. “But even if we have to go to work to store the sample more quickly, that is not a serious problem. We are very excited to have what seems like a sufficient sample that will continue to inspire science for decades after this historic moment. “
“Osiris Rex” was the first US missile to sample an asteroid during a complicated maneuver that lasted for several hours Wednesday night. It should be sent back to Earth in about three years. However, immediately after the maneuver, it was still unclear whether the sample taken was usable and sufficient. To do this, the probe first had to send more data to Earth.
