Experts have determined that asteroid Bennu, a space rock approximately the size of the Empire State Building, poses a potential threat to Earth. To mitigate this threat, NASA has embarked on an ambitious mission that could determine the fate of our planet.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is reminiscent of the plot of the 1998 blockbuster movie “Armageddon,” in which Bruce Willis and his team attempt to prevent a massive asteroid from colliding with Earth using a nuclear bomb. While reality doesn’t always mirror Hollywood, NASA’s efforts to protect Earth from asteroid threats are cinematic in their own right, as we vividly remember the agency’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has been nothing short of historic. In October 2020, the spacecraft made a historic touchdown on Bennu’s surface, collecting approximately 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of rocky material. This achievement marked NASA’s first-ever asteroid sample collection and represented the most substantial sample ever collected in space.
The return of Bennu’s secrets
After years of meticulous planning and execution, the OSIRIS-REx mission is nearing its grand finale. On September 24, the spacecraft will release a capsule containing the precious Bennu samples. This capsule, roughly the size of a mini-fridge, will enter Earth’s atmosphere at a staggering speed of nearly 28,000 mph. The heat generated during reentry will subject the capsule to temperatures twice as hot as lava.
Thankfully, a series of parachutes will deploy to slow the capsule’s descent, bringing it to a more manageable 11 mph. The target landing zone is the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range, southwest of Salt Lake City. The recovery team will take action to retrieve the capsule swiftly, ensuring that the sample remains uncontaminated by Earth’s environment.
In conclusion, NASA’s ongoing mission to study and potentially deflect asteroid Bennu represents a testament to human ingenuity and the determination to safeguard our planet. While the asteroid’s threat remains in the distant future, the knowledge gained from this mission may one day prove instrumental in preventing a cosmic catastrophe.
