NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is set to return to Earth on Sunday morning after a groundbreaking journey. The solar-powered spacecraft has traveled an astonishing 4.4 billion miles to collect samples from the asteroid Bennu. These samples, which will be examined in a laboratory in Houston, hold the key to understanding the composition and origin of the solar system.
However, there is more to this mission than meets the eye. NASA scientists have discovered that Bennu actually poses a small chance of striking Earth in 150 years. This revelation is particularly alarming as Bennu is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO), making it a potential threat to our planet’s safety.
The main concern lies in the year 2182 when Bennu could pass through a “gravitational keyhole,” a region that could significantly increase the chances of collision with Earth. Shockingly, the odds of Bennu striking our planet in 2182 are estimated to be 1 in 2,700. With a width of about one-third of a mile, Bennu is believed to be a fragment left over from the formation of the solar system.
Despite this potential hazard, the return of the OSIRIS-REx mission marks a significant milestone in our understanding of asteroids and the solar system as a whole. The information gained from the samples collected from Bennu will provide invaluable insights into the composition and origin of celestial bodies.
The landing of the spacecraft and the subsequent examination of the collected samples will be livestreamed by NASA. This initiative aims to involve the public and raise awareness about the importance of studying Near-Earth Objects to ensure our planet’s safety.
It is worth noting that the OSIRIS-REx mission is the United States’ first attempt to retrieve and analyze samples from an asteroid. With a budget of $800 million, this venture is a testament to NASA’s commitment to advancing our understanding of the universe.
As the return of the OSIRIS-REx mission draws closer, scientists and space enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the arrival of this trove of knowledge. The findings from Bennu’s samples will undoubtedly shape our understanding of the solar system, paving the way for future space exploration endeavors.
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