Sci-Tech Desk: A NASA spacecraft is set to return from asteroid Bennu to Earth after completing a year-long mission.
NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft will return with the samples of the Bennu asteroid which it collected after touching its surface with this incredible mission which started three years back.
The spacecraft will be dropping its pieces of the asteroid at an area located as the Utah desert on Sunday, 24 September 2023.
Bennu, which is regarded as “the most dangerous asteroid” is a carbonaceous asteroid which was first discovered by NASA scientists in 1999. In terms of physicality, Bennu has a spheroidal shape with an average orbital velocity of 28.0 kms/h. It is considered to be a significant object of research as it is regarded to be a possibly water-rich asteroid.
This is the first of its kind mission carried out by NASA.
The objective of the mission was to investigate how live begin and how the planets were formed. Besides, it also aims understand how asteroids could impact the Earth.
Further, it is considered to be a significant object of research as it is regarded to be a possibly water-rich asteroid.
According to NASA the OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft will drop the asteroid particle at the target location through a parachute after it reaches the atmosphere of the Earth.
OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft was launched on 8 September 2016 and landed on Bennu on October 2020. Apart from other tasks, the spacecraft collected samples of the asteroid through its robotic arm.
The touchdown is expected to take place at 14.55 GMT. Space enthusiasts will be able to livestream the event through NASA’s website.
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