The Osiris-Rex probe briefly hit an asteroid to collect dust and pebbles on the surface of the celestial body.
This asteroid, known as Bennu, is currently more than 321 million kilometers from Earth.
It was the NASA Osiris-Rex probe which carried out the sampling successfully: “The conclusion, on the basis of the images that we have received so far, is that the sampling operation went very well. past, ”said Dante Lauretta, head of the mission.
The probability that materials were collected "has increased significantly" added the scientist.
To be analyzed, the samples captured on the asteroid will have to come back to earth. The US space agency will only be able to begin studying Bennu's dust after Osiris-Rex returns to earth. See you on September 24, 2023.
