NASA still cant get inside space canister three months after its return

NASA's Canister Problem

In the ongoing quest to unlock the secrets of our solar system's origin, NASA's groundbreaking OSIRIS-REx mission has encountered a temporary roadblock in the form of a stubborn canister. This precious container holds rocks and dust collected from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, a celestial body potentially harboring clues about the formation of our planet and the birth of life itself. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab

The Mission

Launched in 2016, OSIRIS-REx reached Bennu in 2018 and successfully gathered samples in 2020. The spacecraft returned to Earth in September 2023, depositing the asteroid fragments in the Utah desert with the hope of unlocking their secrets. However, the journey hasn't been entirely smooth. Credit NASA's Goddard/University of Arizona

Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM)

The challenge lies in opening the canister's Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head, where the bulk of the asteroid sample resides. Two of the 35 fasteners have proven resistant to the current tools, preventing scientists from accessing the pristine collection within. Despite the setback, the mission hasn't been a complete standstill. The curation team, working under a specialized nitrogen flow glovebox to prevent contamination, managed to collect some material from outside the TAGSAM head. They also discovered and retrieved additional dust and debris from inside the canister using tweezers and a scoop. Credit: NASA Goddard/University of Arizona

Dust Collection

This "bonus dust" has already exceeded NASA's initial goal of gathering 60 grams from Bennu's surface. Initial analysis of this extra material revealed an abundance of carbon and water molecules, fueling the theory that asteroids like Bennu may have delivered the building blocks of life to Earth. While the main prize remains locked away, the scientific community remains optimistic. NASA is diligently developing new tools to safely extract the sample from the TAGSAM head, aiming for an opening sometime in early 2024. The cautious approach is crucial to preserve the integrity of the data and prevent Earthly contamination. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA's Canister Problem

In the ongoing quest to unlock the secrets of our solar system's origin, NASA's groundbreaking OSIRIS-REx missionhas encountered a temporary roadblock in the form of a stubborn canister. This precious container holds rocks and dust collected from the near-Earth asteroidBennu, a celestial body potentially harboring clues about the formation of our planet and the birth of life itself. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab