NASA’s Osiris-Rex capsule is returning to Earth on Sunday, carrying dust samples from the asteroid Bennu at extremely high speeds. The capsule was sent on its mission in 2016, briefly landing on Bennu in 2020, and is set to deliver the samples on September 24, 2023. Scientists anticipate that these samples, weighing 250 grams, will provide insights into the origins of Earth, the solar system, the sources of water and air, and the organic molecules essential for life.
The mission involved two years of precise mapping to select a safe sampling location, with the help of astrophysicist Dr. Brian May and Claudia Manzoni. During the sampling, the asteroid’s surface split, creating a moment of surprise. Despite being considered one of the most dangerous asteroids due to its orbital path, the likelihood of Bennu impacting Earth is currently very low, not expected until the end of the next century.